Enterobiasis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Enterobiasis (en-ter-o-bi-uh-sis) is an infection of the end of the bowel and anal area. (rear end). The bowel (small and large intestine) is a tube that goes from the stomach to the anus. The anus is where you have a BM. This infection is also called pinworm, seatworm, or threadworm. The worms live by getting its food from the person it has infected. These worms are called parasites (pair-uh-sites).
  
  
• People who live in warm areas are more likely to get pinworms. You may get pinworms if you do not keep yourself clean. Or large families or groups of children may get pinworms, such as schoolchildren. Your children can get pinworms no matter how well you keep them and your house clean. Enterobiasis is not a serious problem but treatment is needed.

Causes: Pinworm eggs can move from toilet seats to the body. They also float in the air and can be breathed in or swallowed. The eggs can also spread by hand-to-hand or hand-to-mouth contact. Eggs move to the small bowel and hatch there.

Signs and Symptoms: Tiny, white, thread-like worms may be seen around the anus. The skin around your anus may itch and be painful. You may not be able to sleep because the itching is so bad. You may have itching, soreness, or discharge (fluid) from your vagina if you are a woman. You may not want to eat. Or you may have abdominal (belly) pain.

Care: You and your family members will be given worm medicine. You may also get medicine to help your itching. Following are things you can do while your family is taking the medicine, and afterwards to avoid getting pinworms again.

• Wash your hands after using the bathroom every time.
  
  
• Wash your hands before cooking and eating.
  
  
• Bathe or shower often to keep your hair and body clean. At least once a day, wash the anal area (rear end) with soap and water. Do this under a shower, if possible. Change underpants every day
  
  
• Cut and clean the fingernails of those who are infected.
  
  
• Try to keep your child from scratching his or her anus. Keep your child's fingers away from the nose and mouth. Have children wear snug cotton underpants.
  
  
• Change sheets, pillowcases, towels, sleeping clothes, and underwear often. Machine wash them on the hottest water setting. Changing towels and linens often or cleaning your house may be helpful in controlling pinworms. But, cleaning your house will not get rid of pinworms. Pinworms often come back more than once.
  
  
• Put clean paper on public toilets before sitting on them.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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