Ankylostomiasis

Ankylostomiasis, also known as 'hookworm disease', is an infection of the small intestine caused by the Ankylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus parasites. These worms are commonly found in tropical and subtropical climates, and are transmitted by contact with soil, often through walking barefoot, that has been contaminated with the parasite's eggs. Symptoms of ankylostomiasis include fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea, poor appetite, and anemia. In severe cases, it can cause mental confusion and growth retardation in children. The primary method of prevention is through improved sanitation, as it is the contact with contaminated soil that is the primary cause of ankylostomiasis. Other prevention methods include wearing shoes, washing hands before meals, and deworming medications. Treatment for ankylostomiasis consists of taking anthelmintic drugs such as albendazole or mebendazole, which kill the parasites. In severe cases, iron supplements may be required to treat anemia.