Hookworm

Overview

How can I get sick? 

The hookworm parasites are spread from an infected* animal’s poop which ends up going onto the ground or in the grass.  

• Unprotected skin. A person can get hookworms by walking on the ground barefoot where there are hookworms or by sitting on the ground where there are hookworms.  

Symptoms in humans: 

Early symptoms are: 

• Rash in the area where the hookworm is 
• Itching 

A person that doesn’t have a lot of hookworms might not have any symptoms. A person with a bad infection could have the following:  

• Stomach pain 
• Diarrhea (runny poop) 
• Not feeling hungry 
• Weight Loss 
• Feeling very tired 

What can I do to stay healthy?  

• Do not walk barefoot in areas where hookworm is common such as dirt where an animal poops.  
• Do not touch dirt where an animal poops and do not swallow dirt.  

*Definitions: 

• Infected: When germs get inside of a body, animal, or an organism.
• Larvae: Early development stage of an animal, which occurs after birth and before reaching the adult form.