Hookworms

Hookworms are small parasites that live in the small intestine of a host which can be a dog, a cat or a human being. Hookworms are estimated to infect 800 million people worldwide!

How would you like a few of these slithering underneath your skin?

They Sure Can Travel

Hookworms live in warm, damp climates. The worms are about 1 cm long and can be found in sandy or loamy soil waiting for a bare foot to pass by. The worms are then able to attach to the host and burrow through the skin. Once into the host’s system the worms burrow through the body until they find the gut or they can ride in the bloodstream with the gut as their final destination. Once in their new home, they attach to the gut wall and start to feed on the host’s blood while some become dormant in muscle tissue.

So What Are The Consequences Of An Infection?

The hookworm’s appetite has been described as “voracious” and while they do not typically lead to death they can lead to severe anaemia (low number of red blood cells) as well as fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and other gut symptoms.

Infections tend to be long lasting with eggs being passed out through the stool. The eggs hatch in the soil and the larvae then penetrate another bare foot and the cycle continues.