The most serious effects of hookworm infection are blood loss leading to anemia, in addition to protein loss. Hookworm infections are treatable with medication prescribed by your health care provider.
What happens if a human gets hookworm?
Itching and a localized rash are often the first signs of infection. These symptoms occur when the larvae penetrate the skin. A person with a light infection may have no symptoms. A person with a heavy infection may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue and anemia.
What happens if hookworms go untreated in humans?
An untreated, severe infection results in blood loss. Blood loss can lead to anemia and protein deficiency. Severe anemia can cause dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, shortness of breath and chest pain. Children infected with hookworms over long periods of time can suffer severe effects from lack of iron and protein.
Is hookworm harmful to humans?
Hookworm feeds upon human blood, causing internal bleeding, loss of iron, anemia, malnutrition, fatigue, weakness, and, in extreme cases, even death. They cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and can even block the intestinal tract, causing major health problems.
Will hookworms kill me?
Adult hookworms do not infect humans; however, the larvae can burrow into human skin (usually through bare feet). This causes itching, commonly called 'ground itch', but the worms do not mature into adults and will die within several weeks.
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