B76.8: Other hookworm diseases

Hookworms mainly occur in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Hookworms are parasites that can infect people, cats and dogs. Parasites are small creatures that, at least for periods of time, live off other creatures. In humans they can cause illnesses. The parasites can be excreted by infected people or animals. In this way the parasites can get into the soil. You can become infected by walking barefoot, for example.

Typically, the hookworms get into the skin of the feet. Then they can move to the lungs via blood vessels. From the lungs they move via the larynx to the throat and they are then swallowed. Finally, the hookworms reach the intestine via the stomach. They cling to the intestinal wall, where they are nourished by nutrients in the blood.

When hookworms infect the skin, you can get a rash and itching. When in the lungs, hookworm can cause a tickle in the throat, for example. When hookworm infect the intestines, you can have digestive problems. Because the hookworm damage the intestinal wall, you may repeatedly get small quantities of blood in your stool.

After a while, when you are infected by hookworm, you may have too little red hemoglobin in your blood.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood.

When you have too little red hemoglobin, the blood may transport too little oxygen. When the blood transports too little oxygen, you can have breathing difficulties or you may lose strength.