Hookworm diseases
Hookworm disease is an infection caused by tiny parasitic worms that enter the body through the skin and live in your small intestine.
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Find General PhysiciansClinical Overview
Hookworms are small parasitic worms—organisms that live off a host—that most commonly enter your body when you walk barefoot on soil contaminated with human waste. Once they penetrate your skin, they travel through your bloodstream to your lungs, move up to your throat, and are swallowed into your digestive system.
After reaching your small intestine, the worms attach themselves to the intestinal wall and feed on your blood. This can cause you to lose iron and protein, which may leave you feeling tired or weak as your body struggles to keep up with the nutrient loss.
Common Symptoms
- An itchy, red, bumpy rash at the spot where the worm entered your skin.
- Stomach pain or cramping.
- Diarrhea.
- Feeling very tired or weak due to a low red blood cell count, known as anemia.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unintended weight loss.