infectious diseases
Pinworm Infestation
Introduction
Enterobiasis is an intestinal infestation by the pinwormEnterobius vermicularis, usually in children, but adult members of their household and caregivers, institutionalized people, and those who have anal-oral contact with an infected partner during sex are also at risk. Its major symptom is perianal itching. Diagnosis is by visual inspection for threadlike worms in the perianal area or the cellophane tape test for ova. Treatment is withmebendazole,pyrantelpamoate, oralbendazole. (See also Approach to Parasitic Infections .) As many as a billion people worldwide from all socioeconomic classes are infected. Pinworm infestation is the most common helminthic infection in the United States, occurring in an estimated 20 to 42 million people. Most cases are in school-aged and young children, their family members, or caregivers. 