Symptoms of hookworm disease

As we all know, hookworm disease is a disease caused by hookworms parasitizing in the small intestine of our human body. This type of disease is very harmful. It not only easily leads to anemia, but also symptoms and phenomena such as gastrointestinal dysfunction. In addition, in severe cases, it can cause growth and development disorders in children or incomplete heart function. So what are the symptoms of hookworm disease?

In fact, the symptoms of hookworm disease are quite obvious. In addition to the appearance of large and small blood spots on the skin, there will also be itching and burning sensations. In addition, our respiratory system will also have various discomfort symptoms. Below is a detailed introduction to the symptoms of hookworm disease.

Causes

1. Pathogenic effects of the larvae: The larvae invading human skin can cause hook larvae dermatitis, and small red papules may appear on the local skin.

2. Damage caused by adults: Adult hookworms attach themselves to the villi of the small intestinal mucosa with their oral sacs and feed on the mucosal epithelium and blood. Adult worms frequently change their attachment sites and secrete anticoagulants, so the mucous membranes attached to the hookworms continue to bleed, causing chronic blood loss and loss of plasma protein.

Symptoms of hookworm disease

1. Symptoms caused by hookworms

(1) When the hook larvae invade the skin, there is an initial itching and burning sensation, followed by the appearance of small bleeding spots, papules and small blisters. Dermatitis often occurs between the fingers or toes, on the dorsum of the foot, ankles, etc., and may disappear within a few days.

(2) Respiratory system symptoms: 3 to 5 days after infection, patients often experience cough, itchy throat, hoarseness, etc. In severe cases, they may experience severe dry cough and asthma attacks, manifesting as eosinophilic asthma, and blood may appear in the sputum.

2. Symptoms caused by adult worms

(1) Digestive system symptoms Most patients gradually develop upper abdominal discomfort or pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss 1 to 2 months after infection.

(2) Symptoms of the blood circulation system ① Anemia: Progressive anemia gradually appears 3 to 5 months after severe infection, manifested by dizziness, tinnitus, palpitations, shortness of breath, etc. ②Circulatory system symptoms: The degree of anemia directly affects the circulatory system, especially the cardiac metabolic function. The patient has pale skin and mucous membranes, mild edema in the lower limbs, shortness of breath and palpitations even without exertion, weakness in the limbs, tinnitus, dizziness, dizziness, and intellectual impairment. Patients with severe infection may experience significant edema all over the body.

3. Others

Severely ill children may have growth and development disorders, intellectual disability, sexual dysplasia, dwarfism and other symptoms. Adult patients also often suffer from amenorrhea, impotence, decreased libido, infertility, etc.; pregnant women with severe infection are prone to pregnancy poisoning, premature birth, stillbirth, etc.

The symptoms of hookworm disease are mainly divided into two categories: symptoms of hookworm larvae and symptoms caused by adult worms. Generally speaking, the symptoms of hookworm larvae are relatively mild, while the symptoms caused by adults include severe anemia and even edema of the whole body. Therefore, it is very important for parents to take their children to a regular hospital for deworming and treatment in time.