Classes of Nematodes
Nematodes
 The four main Nematodes that we will
concentrate on are:
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Ascaris
Pinworm
Hookworm
Trichina
Ascaris Worms
 Signs & Symptoms:
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Persistent cough
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Vague abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or bloody
stools
 Signs & Symptoms:
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Severe abdominal pain
Fatigue
Vomiting
Weight loss
A worm in vomit or
stool
A worm emerging from
nose or mouth
The severity of the symptoms depends on how many
worms you have and how long you have had them.
Preventing Ascaris Infection
 The best defense is good hygiene and common
sense. Follow these tips to avoid infection:
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Practice good hygiene.
Use care when traveling.
Ascaris Pictures
Pinworm
 Signs & Symptoms:
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Itching around anus or vagina
Upset stomach
Loss of Appetite
Irritability
Restlessness
Insomnia
Pinworms Cont’d
 Can be prevented by having good personal
hygiene.

That said, it is more common in children than
adults.
 Infection is spread by ingesting the eggs, not
necessarily in food.
Pinworm, Cont’d
 Adult pinworms reside in the intestine, and attach to
the intestinal wall.
 Their eggs are not released in the feces, but instead
they crawl and lay egg around the anus. This
causes the skin to itch.

When scratched the eggs are caught under fingernails
and then transmitted to anyone in contact with the
infected hand.
 Prevention: WASH YOUR HANDS -- ALWAYS!!
Pinworm Pictures
Hookworms
 Signs & Symptoms:
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Anemia (low blood iron)
Bloody sputum (spit)
Signs of intestinal irriation
General ill health
Hookworms, cont’d
 Recall they enter through the skin around
your toes.
 So to prevent them:
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Wear socks or shoes, or both!
Hookworm Pictures
Trichina
 Signs & Symptoms:
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History of having eaten rare or uncooked pork
(bear and other wild carnivores or omnivores)
Abdominal Discomfort
Cramping
Diarrhea
Muscle Pain (especially muscle pain with
breathing, chewing, or using large muscles)
Fever
Trichina, Cont’d
 Prevention:

Cook your pig products like your life depends on
it. Because it might!
Trichina Pictures