Hookworm Infection

Hookworm Infection refers to intestinal parasitic worms that attach to the gut and feed on blood. It can cause anemia, abdominal discomfort, and fatigue in adults and children. This condition page helps you compare medicines, dosing forms, and supportive care. It also highlights testing tools and prevention supplies. Availability may vary by supplier and season. US shipping from Canada is available for select items, depending on listing details. You can review tablet strengths, chewable forms, and guidance for hookworm treatment in humans with practical notes for real-world use.

Hookworm Infection: Key Facts

Hookworms are soil-transmitted helminths, a group of parasitic worms that enter through skin or ingestion. Mild cases may be silent, while heavier burdens cause iron-deficiency anemia and weakness. Children may face growth impacts. Adults may notice abdominal pain or changes in stool. Understanding the hookworm life cycle supports better prevention and follow-up. These worms mature in the intestine, and eggs pass in stool, which can contaminate soil. Barefoot exposure in endemic areas increases risk.

Diagnosis often uses stool microscopy or antigen tests interpreted by a clinician. Supportive care can include iron when anemia is present. Your clinician may recommend broad anthelmintic therapy and monitoring of hemoglobin and symptoms. For nearby conditions involving skin penetration, you can review Cutaneous Larva Migrans for differences in presentation and care. Travelers can also learn practical steps in Travel Parasite Prevention, including footwear and sanitation basics.

What’s in This Category

This category brings together medicines, test kits, and prevention supplies used for intestinal worms. You may find benzimidazole anthelmintics, such as Albendazole Tablets, along with alternatives like Mebendazole. Some listings include supportive items, such as iron or multivitamins, when anemia is a concern. You can also browse instruction guides and stool collection tools. These help with hookworm diagnosis, follow-up, or travel readiness.

Shoppers include parents managing a child’s symptoms, travelers preparing for exposure, and adults seeking clear dosing references. Clinicians sometimes direct patients to read about Anthelmintics to compare classes and formulations. Practical supplies like collection containers and written instructions can assist home sample handling. See our brief guide to Stool Sample Collection if laboratory testing is planned. Stock may change without notice, and product details should be reviewed against your clinician’s plan.

How to Choose

Start with diagnosis, clinical advice, and safety checks. Age, pregnancy status, and comorbid anemia can shape choices. Compare active ingredients, tablet strengths, and chewable or crushable options. Your clinician’s plan should guide hookworm treatment dosage to match body weight and product formulation. For children, look for scored or chewable tablets that simplify administration. Adults often compare single-dose regimens with short multi-day courses and consider follow-up testing or deworming intervals.

Consider storage and handling basics, too. Keep tablets dry and protected from heat. Review potential drug interactions or contraindications. Check the listing for inserts and manufacturer details. If you need broader context on related parasites, browse Ascariasis or Strongyloidiasis for clinical differences that may affect selection. Always align product specifics with local guidelines and your clinician’s instructions.

• Common mistakes to avoid: splitting unscored tablets without guidance.
• Skipping weight-based adjustments for children.
• Assuming symptom relief equals cure without follow-up advice.

Popular Options

Albendazole 200–400 mg tablets are a frequent first-line choice. They suit many adults and older children who can swallow or take crushed tablets under supervision. Read the listing for dosing tables, precautions, and whether local lab follow-up is suggested. This supports safe and effective hookworm treatment within a clinician-directed plan.

Mebendazole chewable tablets may help younger patients or those who prefer chewables. Some plans use single-day or multi-day schedules depending on burden and comorbidities. Compare excipients and flavor notes if taste sensitivity affects adherence. Where anemia is present, an iron supplement may be recommended separately, with medical guidance on timing and duration.

Related Conditions & Uses

Many prevention steps overlap across soil-transmitted helminths. Footwear, sanitation, and safe stool disposal reduce exposure risk. Hand hygiene and safe food practices support community health. For targeted prevention strategies, see our travel-focused guide and foundational hygiene tips. These measures support prevention of hookworm infection while helping reduce re-exposure after treatment.

Cutaneous skin tracks and itch may suggest a different pathway of entry. Review Cutaneous Larva Migrans to compare symptoms, timing, and management. For broader deworming contexts, explore Anthelmintics to understand class-level options. If stool testing is planned, our short guide to Stool Sample Collection explains labeling and handling. Travelers planning rural stays can review Travel Parasite Prevention before exposure.

Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Authoritative Sources

• Clinical overview and prevention guidance from the CDC: CDC Hookworm – Parasitic Diseases.
• Global context on intestinal worms and control efforts: WHO Soil-Transmitted Helminths Fact Sheet.