Whipworm

Question 1

What is the whipworm species?

Answer 1

Trichuris trichiura

Question 2

Who does whipworm mainly affect?

Answer 2

5-15yr olds

Question 3

How is whipworm contracted?

Answer 3

Ingestion of embryonated eggs

Question 4

Where do the adult whipworms reside?

Answer 4

Caecum

Question 5

What are the symptoms of a whipworm infection?

Answer 5

Mainly asymptomatic 
If large worm burden then:
Dysentery and failure to thrive
Anaemia
Rectal prolapse 

Common co-infection with other worms

Question 6

How do you diagnose whipworm?

Answer 6

Unembryonated eggs in stool

Adult worms seen on colonoscopy or on prolapsed rectum

Question 7

How do you treat whipworm?

Answer 7

PO mebendazole