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Whipworm infection Causes and Risks:
Whipworm infection develops when a person comes in contact with and subsequently ingests whipworm ova in fecal-contaminated soil. The ingested eggs hatch and the whipworm embeds in the mucus membrane. The worms live in the large intestine, predominantly in the cecum and appendix, but they may infest the colon also.
Light infestations cause few symptoms. Heavy infestations may result in bloody, mucous-like diarrhea . Whipworm infection is one of the diseases that may be associated with rectal prolapse .
Prevention:
Good public health practices, covered sewers, and sanitary disposal have reduced the incidence of whipworm infection.
Symptoms:
- The affected person has bloody diarrhea that appears to contain mucous.
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
Medications can be used to kill the worms. Treatment consists of mebendazole (typical dosage is 100 milligrams taken by mouth twice a day).
Prognosis:
Full recovery is expected with treatment.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you suspect a whipworm infection is present.
Protrusion of the rectal mucosa from the anus is caused by several conditions. This case was caused by trichuriasis, a form of roundworm infection. Trichuria are also called whipworms. The worms can be seen clinging to the surface of the rectal mucosa. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
This is the classical appearance of the trichiura egg. The eggs are highly infectious. After a person eats contaminated food the worms hatch from the eggs and live in the intestine causing vomiting and diarrhea. The worms are called whipworms. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
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