The people most likely to be infected with pinworm are children under 18, people who take care of infected children and people who are institutionalized. In these groups, the prevalence can reach 50%. Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States.
How likely is it for adults to get pinworms?
Adults are less likely to have pinworm infection, except for mothers of infected children. However, adult sexual partners can transfer the eggs to each other. Pinworms also may infect the vagina and urethra.
How do you get infected by pinworms?
How is pinworm infection spread? Pinworm infection is spread by the fecal-oral route, that is by the transfer of infective pinworm eggs from the anus to someone's mouth, either directly by hand or indirectly through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles.
Can adults get pinworm infection?
Anyone can get a pinworm infection. It's the most common kind of worm infection in the United States. But it's more likely if: You're between the ages of 5-10.
What is the main cause of pinworms?
How does someone get pinworms? Pinworms are spread when an infected person, most often a child, has scratched his/her bare anal area and the eggs get under his/her fingernails. Pinworms can then be spread in the following ways: By an infected child not washing hands after using the bathroom.
