Threadworms

Please click the frequently asked questions below for further information and IPC precautions required:

• What are Threadworms?

  Threadworms (pinworms) are tiny worms in your poo. They’re common in children and are spread easily. You can treat them without seeing a GP.

  

• Why is this information important?

  If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

• How is it spread?

  Threadworms spread when their eggs are swallowed. They lay eggs around your bottom (anus) or vagina, which can cause an itchy bottom. The eggs get stuck on your fingers when you scratch.

  They can then pass on to anything you touch, including:

  • clothes
  • toys
  • toothbrushes
  • kitchen or bathroom surfaces
  • bedding
  • food

  Eggs can pass to other people when they touch these surfaces and then touch their mouth. The eggs can survive up to 2 weeks. The larvae hatch from the eggs in your gut after you swallow them, and take 1 to 2 months to mature into threadworms.

  Children can get threadworms again after they’ve been treated for them if they get the eggs in their mouth. This is why it’s important to encourage children to wash their hands regularly.

• What are the symptoms?

  You may spot threadworms in your poo. The worms look like threads of white cotton and are about 1cm long.

  You might also see them around your child’s bottom (anus). The worms usually come out at night while your child is sleeping.

  Other symptoms include:

  • extreme itching around the anus or vagina, particularly at night
  • irritability and wakening up during the night

  Less common symptoms include:

  • weight loss
  • wetting the bed
  • irritated skin around the anus
• IPC Precautions
  • Contact precautions should be used.
  • Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice
  • Eye protection should be risk assessed and worn if any risk of splashes.
  • Gloves and Aprons should be worn.
  • The patient should be transported via ambulance with no other patients present.
  • Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag.
• What cleaning is required?

  All equipment and the ambulance should have an in-between patient clean paying particular attention to touch points.

• Do staff need any prophylaxis or follow up?

  If staff have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case they should remain vigilant for any symptoms but there is no active follow up required.