Pinworms are one of the most common types of parasitic infections that you can develop, and statistics estimate that at least 12 to 14% of children will develop a pinworm infection during their lifetime – and about just as many adults.
The first signs of a pinworm infection start to appear four to six weeks after one has come into contact with the eggs of the parasite, usually by swallowing them or something that has been contaminated with them, and from there the symptoms can get gradually worse if the infection remains untreated and is allowed to thrive within the body.
It’s commonly seen in children, but it’s also commonly seen in parents and carers who work in close proximity with children who have contracted a pinworm infection.
A pinworm infection can be treated with a simple course of the correct medication once it has been diagnosed.
Here are 14 signs that you have pinworms.
1. An Affected Immune System
When your immune system isn’t functioning the way that it should, you’ll notice that you’re getting sick more often than you should – and you’re staying sick for longer than you’re used to. One of the first recommendations for being in better health is doing what you can to take care of your immune system, but there’s a big enough health issue, these things might not work.
There are many different things that can affect your immune system in this way, and the list of things is more diverse than could be listed in a few paragraphs or articles, but as a general rule, anything that clashes with your body or health can knock your immune system down.
Of course, any type of viral, bacterial or parasitic infection can trigger an affected immune system, especially if you’ve been struggling with the condition for a while without having received the right treatment.