“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Hookworm infections are caused by parasitic worms that live in the small intestine of humans and other mammals. There are two species of hookworms that commonly infect humans: Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.
Hookworm infections are most commonly found in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene, and they are transmitted through contact with contaminated soil. The larvae of the hookworms can enter the body through the skin, usually through the feet, and then migrate to the lungs and then the small intestine.
Symptoms of hookworm infection can include anemia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. In severe cases, it can lead to malnutrition, developmental delays in children, and even death.
Treatment for hookworm infection usually involves medication such as albendazole or mebendazole, which can kill the parasites in the intestine. Prevention involves improving sanitation and hygiene practices, wearing shoes in areas where hookworm is prevalent, and treating infected individuals to prevent the spread of the infection.