Infectious Diseases: Pinworms

Symptoms

There may be no symptoms, or there may be itchiness around the anus or vagina. Pinworms are tiny, white thread-like worms that live in the intestines. The worms crawl out of the anus at night and lay their eggs on the nearby skin. Pinworms are a nuisance, not a disease.

Treatment

If a doctor determines that a child has pinworms, it can be treated with medication.

Transmission/Prevention

Spread when an infected person scratches the itchy area, gets pinworms on their fingers or under their fingernails, and touches another person. Also spread when an uninfected person picks up pinworm eggs from an infected person’s belongings (eggs can live for several weeks outside the body). To prevent repeated infections, hand-washing is important.