Hookworm, also known as hookworm or yellowing, is a disease caused by the parasites Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus, whose presence in the body causes anemia, weakness and yellowish color of the skin.
The infective larvae of the yellowing agent can be found in the soil, which is why the most common form of transmission of this disease is through the penetration of the skin, mainly through the feet, buttocks and back.
Yellow Symptoms
In addition to the skin lesion seen where the parasite has penetrated, other symptoms of yellowing are:
- Paleness or yellowish color on the skin; Generalized weakness; Moderate diarrhea; Abdominal pain; Anemia; Loss of appetite; Thinning; Tiredness; Loss of breath without effort; Black and smelly stools due to the presence of blood.
In more chronic cases, when the person has been infected by the worm for many years, there may be heart failure and impaired motor and brain development, sometimes irreversibly. See other symptoms of yellowing.
The diagnosis of hookworm can be made through parasitological examination of feces in order to identify the presence of hookworm eggs in the stool. See how the stool test is done.
Yellow bell in the newborn
The yellowing typical of some newborn babies has nothing to do with this disease, as it is another situation, called neonatal jaundice, which is characterized by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood due to the liver's inability to carry out the metabolism of this substance. Learn more about neonatal jaundice.
How transmission occurs
The transmission of yellowing happens when the person is sunbathing or walking barefoot, mainly because the infective form of the larva penetrates the skin and reaches the blood circulation. Entry into the parasite usually occurs through the feet, buttocks and back, causing an irregularly shaped rash at the site of penetration.
In the organism, the larvae reach the lung and migrate to the pharynx, where they are swallowed and reach the duodenum, transforming into adult larvae and the production of eggs. These eggs are released into the environment through feces and in the soil they develop to an infectious form, restarting the contamination cycle.
Dogs and cats can also host these worms, which can release more eggs into the soil through their feces.
Treatment for Amarelão
The treatment for Amarelão is made with medications such as Befenium, Pirantel, Mebendazole or Tiabendazole, for 1 to 3 consecutive days. In addition, the doctor may request a new stool test after 3 days of treatment, to verify the complete elimination of the worms. See which worm remedies are most suitable and how to take them.
Hookworm is a disease characteristic of underdeveloped countries where sanitation and hygiene conditions are precarious. Thus, it is important to always wear shoes, avoid touching the earth and adopt basic hygiene measures, such as washing your hands before eating and before and after going to the bathroom. It is also important not to drink or eat any food that is unfit for consumption.
Learn some home remedies to fight this worm in this video:
