Parasitology

Question 2

Parasitic transmission terminology

Answer 2

Anthroponotic
* Transmitted from human to human

Zoonotic
* Transmitted from an animal reservoir

Vector borne
* Transmitted by another often an insect

Definitive or Primary host
* Host in which parasite sexual reproduction occurs. Often also an
intermediate or secondary host in the life cycle

Question 3

Tropical vs temperate parasitic disease

Answer 3

Temperate
* Pin worm, Amoebiasis, Giardia, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium,
Trichomonas etc

Tropical
* Malaria, Sleeping Sickness, Leishmaniasis, Schistosomiasis,
Filariasis etc

Question 4

Pin worm symptoms

Answer 4

• Common: * extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night * irritability and waking up during the night
• Less common signs of worms include: * weight loss * wetting the bed * irritated skin around the anus

Question 5

How pin worms develop

Answer 5

• Highly contagious, infected by unintentionally ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs deposited onto
  a surface or object by a person who’s been infected
• The cycle of infection begins with the ingestion of these microscopic eggs
• Once the eggs enters the body, they remain in the intestine until they hatch and mature. As
  adults, the female pinworms move into the colon and exit the body through the anus at night
• Female pinworms lay eggs in the folds of skin around the anus and then return to the colon. The
  presence of these eggs often causes anal itching and irritation
• When a person scratches the affected area, the pinworm eggs transfer to the fingers. The eggs
  can survive for several hours on hands
• Pinworms generally live for up to 13 weeks
• Scratching an affected area can lead to unintentional ingestion, which can lead to reinfection and
  a restart of the entire pinworm life process

Question 6

How pin worms spread

Answer 6

Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed
* They lay eggs around the anus, which make it itchy
* The eggs get stuck on fingers when scratching
* They can then pass on to anything you touched, including:
* Clothes, toys, toothbrushes, kitchen or bathroom surfaces, Bedding, food, pets

Question 7

Advice on dealing with pin worms

Answer 7

• Wash hands and scrub under fingernails – particularly before eating, after using the toilet or changing nappies
• Encourage children to wash hands regularly
• Bathe or shower every morning
• Rinse toothbrushes before using them
• Keep fingernails short
• Wash sleepwear, sheets, towels and soft toys (at normal temperature)
• Disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces
• Vacuum and dust with a damp cloth
• Make sure children wear underwear at night – change it in the morning

Question 8

How are pin worms diagnosed?

Answer 8

• A sellotape tape test is the most reliable method for
  diagnosing a pinworm infection pressing the sticky, adhesive
  side against the skin around the anus
• Pinworms often exit the anus while a person sleeps
• If eggs are present, they stick to the tape