Threadworms

Threadworm is a common worm infection throughout the UK. It affects both children and adults, however it is most prevalent in children. The best way to check if your child has threadworm is to check their stools. If there seem to be cotton threads (about 1 cm long) attached to the stool it is a positive case.

Threadworm is passed by contact, normally through children. The threadworm normally lays eggs in the region of the anus and is then transferred to the mouth (through itching) and the eggs ingested.

A mature threadworm then grows in the gut. Good hygiene is essential to combat the illness. 
If children are taught to wash their hands every time they go to the toilet and before eating, 
it will go a long way to preventing them catching threadworm. 


What to Do

If a member of your family has caught threadworm your whole family should be treated accordingly. If you are concerned contact your doctor, although you can buy medication over the counter that will cure the threadworm. This is given in a single dose. Everyone should take the medication at the same time. Nearly everyone is cured by the single dose of medication.

- Cut everyone's nails short.
- Wash your nightwear everyday.
- Shower every morning.
- Wash (boil) all the bed linen and towels in the house.
- Scrub the house, particularly the bathrooms, toilets and kitchen.
- Clean the children's' toys.
- Think Hygiene.