Pinworm Infection
(Enterobiasis)
What is pinworm infection?
Pinworm infection is a large intestine infection caused by a small, white worm called a pinworm. The medical name for the pinworm is Enterobius vermicularis.
The pinworm is about the length of a staple. It lives for the most part within the rectum of humans. While an infected person is asleep, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus.
Because pinworm infection is caused by Enterobius vermicularis, the infection is also called enterobiasis.
Who is at risk for pinworm infection?
Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States.
School-age children have the highest rates of pinworm infection. They are followed by preschoolers. Institutional settings, including day care facilities, often harbor cases of pinworm infection. Sometimes, nearly half of the children may be infected.
Pinworm infection often occurs in more than one family member. Adults are less likely to have pinworm infection, except mothers of infected children.
How is pinworm infection spread?
Within a few hours of being deposited on the skin around the anus, pinworm eggs become infective (capable of infecting another person). They can survive up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. Infection is acquired when these eggs are accidentally swallowed.
What are the symptoms of pinworms?
The classic symptoms of pinworms consist of intense itching around the anus and/or vagina. Less common symptoms range from upset stomach to loss of appetite, irritability, loss of appetite, restlessness, and insomnia.
The symptoms of pinworm infection are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Most infected individuals, in fact, have few or no symptoms but, if the infection is heavy, the symptoms may be correspondingly more severe.
How is pinworm infection diagnosed?
If pinworms are suspected, transparent adhesive tape or a pinworm paddle (supplied by your health care provider) are applied to the anal region. The eggs adhere to the sticky tape or paddle and are identified by examination under a microscope.
The test should be done as soon as you wake up in the morning (because bathing or having a bowel movement may remove eggs). The exam may require several samples for diagnosis.
Samples taken from under the fingernails may also contain eggs (since scratching of the anal area is common).
At night, the adult worms can sometimes be seen directly in bedclothes or around the anal area.
What is the treatment of pinworms?
Usually a single tablet of mebendazole (Vermox) is used for treatment. This can sometimes be repeated a week later or, if infection persists, three weeks later. There are also over-the- counter drugs for pinworm.
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