<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Pinworms are small worms that infect the intestines.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">CAUSES</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Pinworms are most common in school-age children.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Pinworm eggs are spread directly from person to person. They can also be spread by touching bedding, food, or other items contaminated with the eggs.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Typically, children are infected by unknowingly touching pinworm eggs and putting their fingers in their mouths. The eggs are swallowed, and eventually hatch in the small intestine. The worms mature in the colon.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Female worms then move to the child&#39;s anal area, especially at night, and deposit more eggs. This may cause intense itching. The area may even become infected. When the child scratches the itching anal area, the eggs can get under the child&#39;s fingernails. These eggs can be transferred to other children, family members, and items in the house.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">SYMPTOMS</span></span></strong></h2>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Difficulty sleeping due to the itching that occurs during the night</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Intense&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003217.htm">itching</a>&nbsp;around the anus</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Irritability due to itching and interrupted sleep</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Irritated or infected skin around the anus, from constant scratching</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Irritation or discomfort of the vagina in young girls (if an adult worm enters the vagina rather than the anus)</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Loss of appetite and weight (uncommon, but can occur in severe infections)</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">EXAMS AND TESTS</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Pinworms can be spotted in the anal area, especially at night when the worms lay their eggs there.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Your doctor or nurse&nbsp;may have you do a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003452.htm">tape test</a>. A piece of cellophane tape is pressed against the skin around the anus, and removed. This should be done in the morning before bathing or using the toilet, because bathing and wiping may remove eggs. The doctor will stick the tape to a slide and look for eggs using a microscope.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">TREATMENT</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Anthelmintic (anti-worm)&nbsp;medicines are used to kill the pinworms (not their eggs). More than one household member is likely to be infected, so the entire household is often treated.</span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">To control the eggs:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Clean toilet seats daily</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Keep fingernails short and clean</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Wash all bed linens twice a week</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Wash hands before meals and after using the toilet</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Avoid scratching the infected area around the anus. This can contaminate your fingers and everything else that you touch.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Keep your hands and fingers away from your nose and mouth unless they are freshly washed. Be extra careful while family members are being treated for pinworms.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">PROGNOSIS</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Pinworm infection is fully treatable.</span></span></p>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">WHEN TO CONTACT A DOCTOR</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Call for an appointment with your doctor if:</span></span></p>

<ul>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">You or your child has symptoms of pinworm infection</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li style="text-align: justify;">
	<p><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">You have seen pinworms on your child</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ul>

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">PREVENTION</span></span></strong></h2>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Wash hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Wash bedding and underclothing frequently, especially those of any affected family members.</span></span></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><b>Source:&nbsp;</b><u><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001152.htm">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001152.htm</a></u></span></span></p>
