Helminth

Whipworm

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Whipworm, Trichuris trichiura

  • See Also
  1. Helminth
  2. Parasitic Infection
  • Epidemiology
  1. One of the most prevalent human Helminth infections
  2. Most symptomatic infections occur in school aged children
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Cylindrical nematode that lives within the cecum
  2. Length: 3 to 5 mm
  3. Transmission
    1. Human feces contaminated fruits and vegetables
  • Symptoms
  1. Usually asymptomatic
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Colitis
  4. Abdominal Pain (may be similar to Appendicitis pain)
    1. Right Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain
    2. Periumbilical Abdominal Pain
  • Signs
  1. Barrel shaped eggs on stool exam
  • Management
  1. Mebendazole (no longer available as of 2012)
  2. Albendazole
  • Complications
  • Untreated Infection (endemic regions)
  1. Digital Clubbing
  2. Growth retardation
  3. Rectal Prolapse
  • References
  1. Schonau (2024) Am Fam Physician 109(6): 569-70 [PubMed]