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Whipworm infection
Intestinal parasite - whipworm; Trichuriasis; Round worm - trichuriasis
Whipworm infection is an infection of the large intestine with a type of roundworm.
Causes
Whipworm infection is caused by the roundworm Trichuris trichiura. It is a common infection that mainly affects children.
Children may become infected if they swallow soil contaminated with whipworm eggs. When the eggs hatch inside the body, the whipworm sticks inside the wall of the large intestine.
Whipworm is found throughout the world, especially in countries with warm, humid climates. Some outbreaks have been traced to contaminated vegetables (believed to be due to soil contamination).
Symptoms
Most people who have whipworm infections don't have symptoms. Symptoms mainly occur in children, and range from mild to severe. A severe infection may cause:
- Bloody diarrhea
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Iron-deficiency anemia
Iron-deficiency anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are man...
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Fecal incontinence
(during sleep)
Fecal incontinence
Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, causing you to pass stool unexpectedly. This can range from sometimes leaking a small amount of sto...
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Rectal prolapse
(the rectum comes out of the anus)
Rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum falls and comes through the anal opening.
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Exams and Tests
A stool ova and parasites exam reveals the presence of whipworm eggs.
Stool ova and parasites exam
Stool ova and parasites exam is a lab test to look for parasites or eggs (ova) in a stool sample. The parasites are associated with intestinal infec...
Treatment
The drug albendazole is commonly prescribed when the infection causes symptoms. A different anti-worm medicine may also be prescribed.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Full recovery is expected with treatment.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Seek medical attention if you or your child develop bloody diarrhea. In addition to whipworm, many other infections and illnesses can cause similar symptoms.
Prevention
Improved facilities for feces disposal have decreased the incidence of whipworm.
Always wash your hands before handling food. Teach your children to wash their hands, too. Thoroughly washing food may also help prevent this condition.
References
Bogitsh BJ, Carter CE, Oeltmann TN. Intestinal nematodes. In: Bogitsh BJ, Carter CE, Oeltmann TN, eds. Human Parasitology . 4th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier Academic Press; 2012:chap 16.
Dent AE, Kazura JW. Trichuriasis (Trichuris trichiura). In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 293.
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Trichuris trichiura egg - illustration
This is the classical appearance of the Trichuria (whipworm) egg. The eggs are highly infectious. After a person eats contaminated food, the worms hatch from the eggs and live in the intestine, causing vomiting and diarrhea. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Trichuris trichiura egg
illustration
-
Trichuris trichiura egg - illustration
This is the classical appearance of the Trichuria (whipworm) egg. The eggs are highly infectious. After a person eats contaminated food, the worms hatch from the eggs and live in the intestine, causing vomiting and diarrhea. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Trichuris trichiura egg
illustration
Review Date: 11/14/2016
Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
