
Hookworms can be present in household pets, including dogs and cats. Share on Pinterest Taking pets to the vet regularly for testing and treatment can reduce the risk of catching and spreading hookworms. Infection can only happen when the eggs mature into larvae in soil. Hookworms cannot pass to another individual through personal contact. From here, thousands of eggs can enter the human feces. Mating also occurs in the small intestine. In some cases, the person may develop anemia as they lose blood to the hookworms.

If a person digests mature hookworms, the worms attach to the small intestine and gain nutrients through human blood.

From there, the person can cough them up and swallow them. These systems carry the larvae to the lungs.

If eggs are present in the feces, they can hatch after 1 to 2 days under the right conditions.Īfter hatching, the larvae can survive for 3 to 4 weeks in the soil, according to the Merck Manuals.
HOOKWORMS IN HUMANS FECES SKIN
Share on Pinterest Hookworms can enter the skin when a person comes into contact with contaminated soil.
