<unk><unk>  helminths are essentially intestinal parasites and their eggs which are liberated along with the faeces of infected persons into the<unk> . Ascaris and hookworm eggs become infective as they develop into larvae in<unk> . Infection occurs when vegetables and fruits, contaminated with<unk>  infested eggs, are consumed; or when hands or fingers have been contaminated with dirt carrying the eggs are put in the mouth. On the other hand, hookworm eggs are not directly infective. They hatch in<unk> , releasing mobile larvae that can penetrate the skin. Thus infection is acquired through accidental contact with contaminated<unk> . Ascariasis Female Ascaris lumbricoides Ascariasis of<unk>  is caused by the large roundworm A. lumbricoides. It is estimated to be the most widespread<unk> , affecting approximately 1 billion people. The victims constitute about half of the populations in tropical and subtropical areas. Most conditions are mild and often show little or no symptoms. Heavy infections however are debilitating, causing severe intestinal blockage and impair growth in children. Children, compounded with malnutrition, are most infected, with the most common age group being 3 to 8 year olds, with an annual death of about 20,000. Children are more susceptible due to their frequent exposure to contaminated environment such as during playing, eating raw vegetables and fruits, and drinking wastewater. Hookworm disease Hookworm Hookworm infection of<unk>  is caused by N. americanus and A. duodenale. Mild infections produce diarrhoea and abdominal pain. More severe infections can create serious health problems for newborns, children, pregnant women, and malnourished adults. In fact it is the leading cause of anaemia and protein deficiency in developing nations, affected an estimated 740 million people. N. americanus is the more common hookworm, while A. duodenale is more geographically restricted. Unlike other<unk> s, in which school-age children are most affected, high-intensity hookworm infections are more frequent in adults, specifically women. Roughly, 44 million pregnant women are estimated to be infected. The disease causes severe adverse effects in both the mother and infant, such as low birth weight, impaired milk production, and increased risk of mortality. Trichuriasis Trichuris trichiura egg Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is the third most common<unk> -causing nematode in humans. According to current estimate, nearly 800 million people are infected, the majority of them children. Heavy infections could lead to acute symptoms such as diarrhoea and anaemia, and chronic symptoms such as growth retardation and impaired cognitive development. Medical conditions are more often serious since coinfection with protozoan parasites such as Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica, and with other nematodes is common. Predominantly a tropical disease of developing countries, trichuriasis is quite common in the United States.
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis
Helminthiasis
Behavior-altering parasite
Pinworm infection
Tick infestation
Trichiasis
Acariasis
Toxocariasis