Can threadworms kill you?

Worms are a type of parasite that are particularly common in children aged 4-11 years of age. Threadworms are the most common type of worms, also known as pinworms. Threadworms won’t hurt you and can be treated easily. Let’s look deeper into what threadworms are, their causes, symptoms and how to treat them.

📝 What are threadworms?

Threadworms known by their scientific name Enterobius vermicularis are tiny worms inside the intestines. They are often visible in poo which is one of the first signs of an active worm infection. They’re very small and often described as being about the size of a staple.

Threadworms in faeces are the most common in pre-schoolers and older children, but babies and adults can also catch them. It is thought that around two in five children will get pinworm infections at some point.

Once an egg has successfully entered the body, it will make its way to the large intestines and hatch into a threadworm. Once the threadworm has grown and is ready to lay more eggs, it leaves the intestine to lay eggs around a person’s anus region.

✏️ How do you catch threadworms?

The most common ways to catch threadworms are:

• Accidental infection with threadworms by swallowing worm eggs found on contaminated surfaces. A common contaminated area can be the anal area, which is typically scratched with the fingers and then placed near the mouth or food
• Touching surfaces or objects that have threadworm eggs on them, such as kitchen or bathroom surfaces, kitchen utensils, and then touching your mouth or food. Eggs can remain on these surfaces for up to two weeks, which makes the chance of infection higher

In parts of the world where food hygiene standards are poor and do not have modern toilets or sewage systems, there are other ways in which threadworms are transmitted:

• Touching soil or swallowing water or food with worm eggs in it
• Walking barefoot on soil containing worms
• Eating raw or undercooked beef, pork or freshwater fish (like salmon or trout) containing baby worms

⚠️ Can threadworms kill you?

No. The most annoying thing a threadworm can do is cause an intense itch. Threadworms are harmless and it’s possible for people to be infected with them for years. While this sounds alarming, according to the NHS most worm infections aren’t serious and are easily treated.

One of the classic ways a threadworm infection is detected is from the appearance of threadworms in poo. They look like a white piece of thread and there will likely be more than one visible. In rare cases, threadworms can cause other problems such as loss of appetite and weight loss, but will likely appear, the more mature the infection is.

You can treat threadworms with treatments over the counter or on a prescription from a healthcare provider.

🧪 Symptoms of threadworm

The most common symptom people with threadworms will have is an intense itchy bottom, particularly at night. This is when the female worms come out to lay eggs. These pinworm eggs have a pin-like tail, which is where the name comes from.

In some cases, threadworms may be visible on your bedsheets or clothes, or you may notice them in your stools. As said above, they appear as a thin, white piece of thread.

These are the only threadworm symptoms that can occur, with a lot of people not noticing at all.

The tape test

If you suspect you have a threadworm infection, a simple test involves applying a transparent piece of tape around the anus and catching any worms that come out to lay eggs. The tape can then be taken to the doctor for diagnosis.

💊 Treatment for threadworms

Mebendazole is an over-the-counter treatment for threadworms belonging to a group of drugs called anthelmintics. Anthelmintics paralyse the parasite by binding to its nerve and muscle cells, which disrupts glucose transport by cells. These sugars are essential to their survival, therefore this disruption stops the worms from staying alive. Within a few days, this leads to the death of the worms. Once dead, the worms are then removed from the body by passing through the gut into the stools. Threadworm symptoms may still be experienced for a couple of days until the worms begin to die.

This treatment of threadworms only kills the adult worms and not their eggs, so it’s important to treat all family members. During or after treatment it is important to maintain strict hygiene standards to avoid any new eggs which can cause a new infection.

💡 Tips you can follow to stop becoming infected again

Treatment will kill threadworms but does not kill the eggs, meaning reinfection can occur if medication isn’t taken for the full 2 weeks. Eggs can continue to live outside the body for up to 2 weeks.

Good hygiene

• Wash hands and clean underneath your fingernails with hot water, especially before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies
• Encourage your children to wash their hands regularly
• Wash every morning
• Rinse toothbrushes before using them
• Keep fingernails short
• Wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at a hot temperature)
• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• Vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
• Change nightwear every night

Try to avoid doing the following:

• Do not shake clothing or bed linen, to prevent eggs from landing on other surfaces
• Do not share towels or flannels
• Do not bite nails, suck your thumbs or fingers

📝 Conclusion

Families can have threadworm infections several times, particularly families with young children. If your child’s bottom is very itchy, seek medical advice and treatment to relieve symptoms quickly and to confirm diagnosis.

Preventing reinfection once treatment is over is the most important step to take. Cleaning surfaces, washing bedding and clothing as much as needed to destroy all the eggs as well as proper handwashing and good hygiene, both at home and at school is essential.

Sources

• Worms in humans – NHS
• Pinworms (Threadworms): Symptoms, How You Get Them & Treatment
• threadworms-June-2014.pdf
• Enterobius Vermicularis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf