Worms - Open to All Other Health Topics Message Board

Sadwings · 04-12-2004, 05:21 PM

I was babysitting my niece the other night, and she called me in the bathroom, and showed me her feces(sp). There were worms in it.

I don't know anything about it, and I was wondering how do children (she's 10) get it, and is it transferrable?
I have a dog, could she have gotten it from the dog?

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Thank you.

marcen · 04-12-2004, 08:20 PM

She most likely has pinworms, which are transferred from other children quite commonly. It is very easy to pass this to other family members. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist. The medication is generally ovet the counter. This is not serious and easy to treat, but all bedding, towels etc. will need to be washed in hot water. Sometimes it is recommended to treat other children or family members. Other signs of pinworm infection include anal itching, especially at night when the female comes out to lay eggs. This is a yucky thing to deal with but , again, not serious, although it does need to be treated.
And no, worms are not aquired from the family pet! She most likely picked it up from a classmate.

Timber · 04-13-2004, 10:37 AM

She probably has pinworm. It's very common in children, very contagious, and easily treatable. Usually, treatment just consists of one or two pills.

ALL of her bedding, clothes, etc. should be washed right away to kill any lingering eggs and prevent anyone else in the family from getting them.

Be sure she gets to a doctor. Treatment is simple, so there's no reason to delay.

luver · 04-13-2004, 04:48 PM

Hey,
I have these worm things too and i'm 16.. is there a way that i can go to teh doctor without my parents finding out... this is a lil embarissing... do the doctors have to tell my parents because i am 16 or can i keep it a secret??

marcen · 04-13-2004, 05:39 PM

Do you have a family doctor or school clinic? If so, you could try and make an appointment. I am not sure where you are, but in most countries you can get over the counter medication to treat for pinworms. Just go to your pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for medicine to treat pinworms. Generally you take one tablet, and then another 2 weeks later.