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The parasitic worm Enterobius vermicularis is a roundworm known as the pinworm. These worms belong to the phylum Nematodes. It causes an intestional infection known as enterobiasis in humans. These worms exhibit a high specifcity and only infect humans.

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The pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. Anyone can get pinworms, but children who are school-aged are more likely to get them. People who live in institutions (group homes or prisons for example) are also at a greater risk.

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Pinworms are very small and can be picked up under fingernails and then spread to other surfaces, increasing the risk of others becoming infected. The infection occurs when someone places their fingers in their mouth and the pinworms travel to the intestines.

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Pinworms are very small. The males are smaller than the females and are about 2.5 mm long while the females can be between 8-13 mm long.

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The most common sign of this infection is itching around the anus.

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Infection begins when the eggs enter the body through the oral route and are swallowed. The eggs reach the digestive tract where they hatch in the small intestine. Adults establish themselves in the colon. Eggs begin to hatch from the adult pinworms within one month. The larvae develop within 4-6 hours and continue the cycle.

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Treatment for pinworms are the medications Meloendazole, Albendzole and the OTC medication Pyrantel Pamoate. An initial dose is taken at the beginning of the infection followed by a second dose two weeks later. These medications do not kill eggs but do prevent reinfection.

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To diagnosis an infection, clear tape can be placed around the anal area and then inspected under a microscope. A worm can also be visible around the anal opening, in underwear, the toilet, or in stool. The worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread. Females come out to lay their eggs at night, so if an infection is suspected in a child an examination of the skin around the anus should be performed two to three hours after they go to sleep.

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Good handwashing hygiene, especially after using the restroom

Keep fingernails trimmed

Use hot water during the laundering process

Eggs can live on surfaces for up to two weeks, so it is important to clean and disinfect all surfaces following a diagnosis of pinworms.