Hookworm disease is an infestation of a parasitic worm that is approximately 1/2-inch long. The hookworm is a type of roundworm; the species that infect humans are Necator americanus, Ancylostoma brazilliense and Ancylostoma ceylanicum, according to MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health. Some patients do not develop any symptoms of the infection unless it becomes severe. Still, some symptoms can manifest in the initial stages of hookworm infection. Identifying these symptoms can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the parasitic disease.
Rash
Hookworms can cause a rash at the site of penetration. The rash is usually very itchy and may be composed of small nodules, states the Merck Manuals. The rash usually develops on the sole of the foot. This symptom is due to the irritation the worm causes as it enters the skin. The rash is sometimes called a ground itch.
Anemia
Anemia is a symptom of hookworm infection, according to the U.S.. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The anemia is most often a sign of a severe infestation of the parasite. The anemia can cause the patient to seem pale. Patients with anemia also feel tired and are lethargic.
Lung Symptoms
Many disorders of the lungs have been attributed to hookworm infection, reports the Merck Manuals. If a large population of hookworms migrates to the lungs, then the patient will develop wheezing and coughing. Sometimes the patient will cough up blood. These symptoms can be grouped together and are called Löffler's syndrome.
Diarrhea and Blood in the Stool
Patients with a hookworm infection often develop diarrhea and bloody stool, states MedlinePlus. The worm attaches to the tissues of the intestine. This can prevent proper absorption of nutrients and bleeding. Sometimes the worm itself is flushed out in the stool; seeing the worm in the stool may distress the patient.
Abdominal Symptoms
During the acute phase of the infection, the hookworms may cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss, states the Merck Manuals. The abdominal pain is typically located towards the area of the stomach just under the breastbone. The weight loss is due to the hookworm stealing the nutrients from the digested food the patient eats. This prevents nutrients from reaching the patient, and leads to weight loss.
Growth and Mental Abnormalities
Children who become infested with the parasite may exhibit delays in their growth and mental development, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This only occurs in children heavily infected with hookworms for an extended period of time. The delays are usually detected by the mother or by a pediatrician.
