Whipworms in Humans. Symptoms. Treatment. Life Cycle. Prevention

What are whipworms?

The human whipworm is a parasitic nematode that causes Trichuriasis. Particularly, it’s an infection of the human cecum, appendix, colon, and rectum, most commonly known as whipworm disease. As the name suggests, the whipworms resemble a whip. Indeed, the female whipworm is 50 mm long with a slender anterior end and a thicker posterior end. Whereas, the male whipworm is smaller and has a coiled posterior end. Often they cohabit with the roundworm (Ascaris).

What are the symptoms of whipworm infestation?

Symptoms often manifest due to the parasitic worm burden. Less than ten worms may remain asymptomatic or with minor symptoms. Minor symptoms include nervousness, irritability, headache, insomnia, decreased cognitive ability, vomiting, abdominal distention, etc. However, heavier infections, as in the case of massive infantile trichuriasis, are characterized by diarrhea (often bloody and with mucus as the anterior portions of the adult worms are threaded into the mucosal lining of the intestine), dysentery, tenesmus, abdominal pain (usually in the right lower quadrant), rectal prolapse (bulging/drooping of the rectum out of the anus), weakness, pallor, weight loss or anorexia, dehydration etc. Thus, the infection may result in malnutrition, weight loss and anemia and sometimes even death.

Prevalence of whipworms

The epidemiology is worldwide. However, the whipworm thrives best in warm, moist tropical countries making it more prevalent in the areas of high rainfall, high humidity, and dense shade. Hence infections are more frequent in areas with tropical weather and poor sanitation practices and among children.

How do you get whipworms?

The un-embryonated eggs pass with the stool. In the soil, the eggs develop into a 2-cell stage, an advanced cleavage stage, and then embryonate. Eggs become infective in fifteen to thirty days. Subsequently, after ingestion through contaminated food or unhygienic hands, the eggs hatch in the small intestine and release larvae that mature and establish themselves as adults in the colon. The adult worms live in the cecum and ascending colon. The adult worms fix in that location threading the anterior portions into the mucosa. The females begin to oviposit sixty to seventy days after infection. All in all, the life span of the adults is about one year.

Are whipworms contagious?

Not that severe, but yes in poor sanitary conditions where eggs can be ingested.

Prevention and treatment of whipworms

• Ensure clean drinking water.
• Improving hygiene and sanitary eating habits are most effective in control.
• Ensure good personal hygiene and eating habits.
• Keep hands always clean. Trim nails.
• Wash hands before eating or preparing food.
• Wash hands after a toilet visit. In fact, any anti-bacterial soap will usually insure a worm-free existence.
• Deworm regularly or as per by your primary physician.
• Discourage children from sucking thumbs or biting nail.

Whipworms synonyms

Trichuris trichiura

Trichuriasis synonyms

• Whipworm infection.
• Trichocephaliasis.
• Trichocephalosis.

Diagnosis of whipworm infestation

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the presence of eggs in feces under microscopic stool examination.

Medications for treating whipworm infestation

Conventional drug options are mebendazole, 200 mg, for adults and 100 mg for children, for 3 days. Albendazole is an alternative. Accompanying infections must be treated accordingly. Talk to your doctor for more information and appropriate dosages and intervals.