How do you get hookworms? The teenager infection raises questions

Last week, a teenager from Tennessee made headlines after being infected with hookworms after being buried in the sand by friends while he was visiting a Florida beach . After the release, 17-year-old Michael Dumas from Memphis reportedly began to suffer from earaches and bumps under the skin of his legs and thighs. Michael's mother, Kelli Dumas, has documented the horrible condition on Facebook.

Doctors quickly diagnosed him with a severe case of hookworms . At least four other people in the Dumas group have also been infected, reports CBS Miami.

What is hookworm?

Hookworms are parasites that can penetrate the skin and cause disease in humans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 576 million and 740 million people worldwide are infected with hookworm. The parasite was prevalent in the United States, especially in the southeastern region, but improved living conditions greatly reduced the cases of infection in this country.

How do hookworms spread? Barefoot on contaminated soil. Hookworm larvae and adult worms live in the small intestine and can therefore be transmitted into the feces of an infected person.

Soil becomes contaminated when an infected person or animal defecates on the outside or when feces are used as fertilizer. deposited on the floor.

Signs of an infection by hookworm

Itching and localized rash are often the first signs of infection with hookworm. These symptoms occur when the larvae enter the skin. With a mild infection, a person may have no other symptoms.

In a more serious infection, the person may experience:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• ] fatigue
• anemia

How is hookworm treated?

Ankylostomiasis is treated with a drug that destroys the parasite. A health care provider will prescribe the drug for one to three days

If the affected person has developed anemia, iron supplements may also be prescribed.

How to prevent hookworm infection

is to avoid walking barefoot in areas where hookworm is common and where the soil may be contaminated with excrement .