There are two species of hookworms that usually infect humans. They are called Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. They infect adults and children. These species are mainly found in the tropical and subtropical regions. |
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Hookworms infect more than an estimated figure of 740 million people worldwide every year. However, most people who get infected do not show too many symptoms of it and it is usually dormant for quite some time. Hookworms are very small when compared to the roundworm. The main risk of hookworm infection is iron deficiency anemia and loss of protein in the gut.
Hookworm infection can be easily contracted by walking barefoot in soil that is contaminated with infected feces. It is one of the most common methods of exposure to these worms. After skin is penetrated by the worm the circulation is carried out in the pulmonary capillaries. Within 3 to 5 days of the infection, the larvae break through and travel from the lungs into the trachea, and then the mouth. Upon reaching the pharynx, larvae are swallowed and they reach the gastro intestinal tract. These worms can attach themselves to the wall of the intestine and start feeding on the blood.
A Necator americanus adult worm or hook worm consumes nearly 0.3 ml of blood every day. And the Ancylostoma duodenale worm consumes nearly 0.5 ml of blood daily. Severe and chronic loss of blood causes hookworm anemia and lack of nutrition.
In a hookworm infection, the eggs begin to appear in the stool after 6-8 weeks in adults.
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