Enterobiasis

Enterobiasis General Information

The infection with Enterobius vermicularis (a pinworm also previously known as Oxyuris vermicularis) is a medical condition called Enterobiasis. This genus is contained by the Oxyuridae family so that specialists refer to this disease as oxyuriasis, although this term is less precise. Adult pinworm male measures three to six millimeters, while the adult female is around seven to fifteen millimeters. Enterobiasis, also called seatworm infection is actually an infection of the intestines caused by a parasitic roundworm. This type of disease has a worldwide distribution, affecting all the races and appears to be more frequent in areas with a temperate climate than in tropical countries; in crowded locations, in preschool children and in school children the pinworm seems to have the adequate condition to develop and to cause Enterobiasis.  The most affected area on globe is the United States of America where more than 50 million people (approximately 15% of the population) suffer from this disease. Referring to the whole world, about 300 million people have the worm in their intestines. It is also known that the human body is the only host of these pinworms; men and women are both prone to develop this medical condition. Although people of any age can be affected, more exposed to getting infected with Enterobius vermicularis are the children who are between six and twelve years old, especially those who are in daycare settings. A second species, similar to this one and causing the exact disease has been found in Asia and Africa.

Enterobiasis Symptoms

Enterobiasis is usually asymptomatic (the patient does not complain of any signs or symptoms specific for this medical condition). When signs and symptoms are present, the main and most common manifestation of this parasitic infection is itching around the anal area. This medical disorder is not considered a dangerous one although it can easily be transmitted by a simple ingestion of the pinworms eggs. In many cases, this only causes irritation. The eggs reach into the small intestine and after one month, they hatch, maturing then into adult worms. The adult female worm travels during the night from the intestine to the anal area (around the anus) where it deposits eggs (approximately 15,000 eggs). After the female worm lays the eggs, she dies. These eggs are responsible with the infection that usually occurs after eight hours, at the temperature of the body; otherwise, the eggs die too. The movement of the pinworms normally produces the itching sensations. Once the respective person scratches his or her anal area, the small eggs will get on underwear, finger nails or night clothes. Perianal pruritus is the most typical sign that usually manifests at night and may determine serious bacterial superinfections and excoriations. The female genital tract can be affected; peritoneal or pelvic granulomas and vulvovaginits may occur as symptoms and signs of Enterobiasis. Additional signs and symptoms of this medical condition are: pain felt in the abdominal or pelvic area, bruising, bleeding in the anal region, irritability, poor sleeping at night, disrupted sleep or anorexia.

Enterobiasis Treatment

Enterobiasis is not a dangerous medical condition because the damage to the patient’s health is minimal and it can easily be treated with the simple administration of the adequate treatment. It is expected that patients will fully recover from this infection. Although it is not a serious medical disorder, it is of highly importance to detect it on time in order to avoid any major complications. As soon as you experience any of the signs and symptoms listed above, we strongly recommend you to see your health care provider for a medical examination. To diagnose Enterobiasis, the doctor will need to analyze under a microscope the eggs collected from the perianal region. This medical exam must be done early in the morning, before going to the toilet room by taking samples with the help of a transparent adhesive tape that is pressed on the patient’s perianal area. It is very important that the physician eliminates the other causes of the itching sensations, for example bacterial or fungal infections, lice or hemorrhoids. Once all these medical procedures have been ruled out, the doctor can proceed with the proper treatment. Once the treatment begins, you should eliminate the possibilities of getting re-infected. Take good care of your personal hygiene and of your laundering of bedding that is infected by washing it day by day with hot water and soap.

Not only should the medical treatment be considered by a patient that suffers from Enterobiasis. The daily showers and the proper hand wash before dealing with any kind of food can help a patient to recover faster and also to avoid getting re-infected. The main drug of choice which is also very commonly given to most patients thanks to its amazing results is Pin-X or Pin-Rid (pyrantel pamoate) prescribed as Povan or Combatrin. This medication is given orally in two doses that are evenly spaced in time (at two or three weeks apart). This method of therapy gives good results in more than 95% of the cases, eradicating Enterobiasis for good. This medicine is available as an over-the-counter medication in almost all pharmaceutical locations. But for treating this condition, piperazine prescribed as Antepar, albendazole albenza or mebendazole prescribed as Vermox can also be administrated as effective drugs. Mebendazole is given in a dose of one tablet that can sometimes be repeated after a week, or, if Enterobiasis persists, after three weeks. The recurrence of this medical condition is frequent. If the infection provoked by this medical condition reaches to the genital or urinary organs, then the health care provider will choose a combination of therapies. Against the worms he or she may prefer to use ivermectin prescribed as Stromectol along with mebendazole, both administrated orally. Because this infection can easily be spread, all the family of the patient must receive the treatment too. In order to relieve the itching sensations of your rectal area, you are advised to have a shallow warm bath with Epsom salts. You can apply ointments that have zinc oxide.