Skip to topic navigation
Skip to main content
en
English
PAY A BILL
PATIENT PORTAL
FIND A DOCTOR
SERVICES
LOCATIONS
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Patient Portal
en
English
Search
Menu
close
Bill Pay
Patient Portal
Find a Doctor
Services
BACK
VIEW ALL SERVICES
Allergy & Immunology
Breast Cancer
Cancer & Clinical Trials
Diabetes & Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Gynecology & Obstetrics
Heart & Vascular
Integrative Medicine
Maternity
Neurosciences
Orthopedics
Pediatrics
Primary Care
Radiology
Rehabilitation Services
Sleep Medicine
Surgery
Surgical Weight Loss
Urology
Women's Healthcare
Wound Care
Locations
Make an Appointment
Patient Resources
Visiting Information
About Stamford Health
Healthflash Blog
Volunteer
Give/Donate
Events & Classes
Contact Us
Medical Professionals
Careers at Stamford Health
Stamford Health Medical Group
LANGUAGE
close
BACK
English
close
ALL
PROVIDERS
LOCATIONS
SERVICES
Search all categories:
Conduct a search
When autocomplete results are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Clear
Submit
Conduct a search
When autocomplete results are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Clear
Submit
Conduct a search
When autocomplete results are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Clear
Submit
Conduct a search
When autocomplete results are available, use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Clear
Submit
You can ask Stamford Health:
Primary Care Doctor Near Me
Locations near me
Telehealth Options
Access My Medical Records
COVID Testing
Is Stamford Health hiring?
Conditions & Treatments
Adult Health Library
Allergy and Asthma
Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases
Bone Disorders
Breast Health
Cardiovascular Diseases
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Dermatology
Diabetes
Digestive Disorders
Endocrinology
Environmental Medicine
Eye Care
Gynecological Health
Hematology and Blood Disorders
Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care
Infectious Diseases
Kidney and Urinary System Disorders
Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Disorders
Men's Health
Mental Health Disorders
Nervous System Disorders
Non-Traumatic Emergencies
Oral Health
Orthopaedic Surgery
Otolaryngology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic Surgery
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prostate Health
Radiology
Respiratory Disorders
Skin Cancer
Spine, Shoulder, and Pelvis Disorders
Surgical Care
Travel Medicine
Women's Health
Pediatric Health Library
Adolescent Medicine
Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Blood Disorders
Burns
Cardiology
Care of the Terminally Ill
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Child Having Surgery
Craniofacial Anomalies
Common Childhood Injuries and Poisonings
Dental and Oral Health
Dermatology
Diabetes Endocrinology
Digestive and Liver Disorders
Ear, Nose, and Throat
Eye Care
Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders
Growth and Development
High-Risk Newborn
High-Risk Pregnancy
Infectious Diseases
Medical Genetics
Neurological Disorders
Normal Newborn
Oncology
Orthopaedics
Pregnancy
Respiratory Disorders
Safety and Injury Prevention
Transplantation
Tests and Procedures
Cardiovascular
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Lab Tests
Neurological
Orthopaedic
Pulmonary
Urology
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Drug Interaction Checker
Drug Search
Drug Search by Physical Description
Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements
Amino Acids
Herbs
Minerals
Vitamins
Other
All
Wellness Library
At Work
Behavior
Dental
Diseases & Conditions
Fitness
Injuries & Emergencies
Nutrition
Parenting
Prevention
Safety
Today's Medicine
Weight Control
Your Body
News Center
Focus on Health
Health News
Newsletters
Cancer Awareness
Chronic Condition News
For Your Child
Heart Care
Men's Health
Women's Health
Tools & Multimedia
Video Library
Calculators
Quizzes
Risk Assessments
Contenido en Español
You are here:
Home
Conditions & Treatments
Adult Health Library
Allergy and Asthma
Adult Health Library
search
Submit Health Library Search
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Topic Index
Library Index
Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.
How Much Do You Know About Pinworms?
Test your knowledge of pinworms and how to prevent them.
1. An infection with pinworms is called:
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
A pinworm infection is called enterobiasis. It is caused by the parasitic worm Enterobius vermicularis. Other names for pinworm infection include seatworm infection and threadworm infection. Ascariasis is caused by a large intestinal roundworm. Trichinosis is caused by Trichinella spiralis, a roundworm that can be found in raw or undercooked pork or wild game. Strongyloidiasis is caused by another parasitic roundworm called Strongyloidiasis stercoralis.
A.
Ascariasis
B.
Trichinosis
C.
Strongyloidiasis
D.
Enterobiasis
2. Where are pinworms mainly found in the body?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Pinworms are tiny (one-half-inch), white, threadlike roundworms found mainly in the colon and rectum. They enter the body when pinworm eggs are swallowed. The eggs then hatch in the small intestine. The larvae travel to the large intestine, where they attach themselves as parasites. About 3 to 6 weeks after the eggs are swallowed, the female worms move out of the body to lay eggs around the anus.
A.
Under the skin
B.
Colon/rectum
C.
Lungs
D.
None of the above
3. Pinworms enter the body when the pinworm eggs are swallowed. Where can the eggs be found in the environment?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
A female pinworm can lay thousands of eggs. The eggs are tiny and moist. This makes them invisible and able to stick to the fingers of children. If children with eggs on their fingers put those fingers in their mouth, the pinworm can enter the body. There they can hatch, creating an adult pinworm in the digestive tract. The adult pinworm lays new eggs around a child's anus. The eggs can then be scattered in the air from bed linen and clothing. The eggs can land and stick on doorknobs, furniture, tubs, faucets, toys, and food. The eggs can survive for up to 2 to 3 weeks outside the human body.
A.
In dust outdoors
B.
Bed linen
C.
Doorknobs
D.
Faucets
E.
All of the above
4. Which of these is a symptom of pinworm infection?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
The itching is caused by the female pinworm moving from the anus to lay her eggs. The female worm often does this at night. The itching can occur around the anus or the vagina. Sometimes the itching is so severe that the child's sleep may be disturbed. Scratching the area may lead to a bacterial infection.
A.
Nausea
B.
Paranoia
C.
Intense itching
D.
Diarrhea
5. How does a healthcare provider diagnose a pinworm infection?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Your healthcare provider may ask you to first look for pinworms. You can check for pinworms by using a flashlight to look at your child's anus several hours after they have gone to bed, and then early in the morning. The worms look like quarter-inch-long white threads that move. You should check for the worms for 2 nights in a row. If you don't see a worm, your healthcare provider may give you cellophane tape attached to a tongue depressor to use in collecting the eggs. You gently press the tape to the area around the anus. The collection is usually done as soon as your child wakes in the morning, because bathing or having a bowel movement can remove the eggs. This may be done 3 mornings in a row. The tape is looked at under a microscope to make sure that eggs are present.
A.
With a blood test
B.
By looking at the rash the infection makes
C.
By collecting eggs around the anus
D.
All of the above
6. How are pinworm infections treated?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
Some parents may choose not to treat the infection if children have no symptoms. But pinworms can be easily treated with medicine. When medicine is prescribed, the whole family should take it. Medicines often used to treat pinworms include mebendazole, albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate. Medicine is often given in 2 doses. The second dose is given 2 weeks after the first. Your healthcare provider may prescribe an ointment or cream to ease the itching.
A.
No treatment, because children usually outgrow the infection
B.
Surgery
C.
Medicine
D.
A and C
7. What can you do to prevent a pinworm infection?
You didn't answer this question.
You answered
The correct answer is
The eggs are sensitive to sunlight. So experts advise opening the blinds or curtains in the bedroom each day. Vacuuming or wet-mopping the bedroom each week can pick up any eggs that have scattered on the floor. Also keep your child's fingernails trimmed short. And discourage them from biting the nails or sucking on a thumb. Even with the best hygiene, it's still possible for your child to become infected with pinworms if they swallow them. Just because your child has been in contact with a child who has pinworms doesn't mean your child will become infected. You should wait a month to check. That's because the eggs take 3 to 4 weeks to mature into adult pinworms.
A.
Bathe often
B.
Wear clean underwear and pajamas
C.
Regularly launder bed sheets
D.
Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating
E.
All of the above
Your score was:
Online Medical Reviewer:
Felson, Sabrina, MD
Online Medical Reviewer:
Sather, Rita, RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN
Date Last Reviewed:
5/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Related Items
Tests and Procedures
Ova and Parasites (Stool)
Interactive Tools
Pinworms Quiz