How long is pinworm contagious?

When and for how long is a person able to spread the disease? A person will remain infectious for as long as there are worms laying eggs on the skin around his or her rectum. Pinworm eggs can remain infectious in an indoor environment for two to three weeks.

How long are you contagious with pinworms after treatment?

If you're using an OTC medication, your symptoms will likely subside within three days of your first dose. The infection is still considered contagious for the following three weeks.

How contagious is pinworms?

Pinworms are contagious and easily spread, usually from child to child. Pinworm eggs can be picked up on children's fingers when they're playing. When children who are infected scratch their itchy bottoms, the tiny eggs can get under their fingernails. Eggs can stay on your child's skin for several hours.

Can my child go to school with pinworms?

Children with pinworms do not need to miss any child care or school.

How long does it take to get rid of pinworms?

The medicine usually takes approximately 72 hours to fully rid the system of pinworms. For several days after treatment, clean the bedroom floor by vacuuming or damp mopping. After treatment, wash bed linens and night clothes (don't shake them). Keep toilet seats clean.

Kristen Bell Deals with Family Pinworm Outbreak

How do you know pinworms are gone?

Your doctor will give you some medicine to take right away and then again 2 weeks later to be sure the worms are gone. The doctor can also give you a cream to help stop the itching. Because it's easy to pass pinworms on to other people, the doctor may want the other people in your house to take medicine, too.

How often wash sheets with pinworms?

Washing sheets, clothes, and towels in a washing machine using regular laundry soap can eliminate pinworm eggs. All bedding and toys should be cleaned every 3-7 days for 3 weeks. Underwear and pajamas should be washed daily for 2 weeks.

Can pinworms live on couches?

Doorknobs, toilet seats, furniture, countertops, cell phones, remote controls, and other shared surfaces the infected person may have touched, as eggs can survive up to 3 weeks on indoor surfaces.

How do you clean a mattress after pinworms?

For several days after treatment, it is important to clean the bedroom floors, either by vacuuming or damp mopping. After treatment has been administered, you should also wash all bed linens in hot water. Remember – do not shake these items out before putting them in the washing machine.

What is the fastest way to get rid of pinworms?

Pinworms can usually be treated completely with two doses of over-the-counter medicine called pyrantel pamoate, available in the United States under the brand names Pin-X and Reese's Pinworm Medicine. Take one dose immediately and another dose two weeks later.

How easily are pinworms spread?

Pinworms spread easily. When people who are infected touch their anus, the eggs attach to their fingertips. They can spread the eggs to others directly through their hands, or through contaminated clothing, bedding, food, or other articles. The eggs can live on household surfaces for up to 2 weeks.

How likely is it for adults to get pinworms?

Adults are less likely to have pinworm infection, except for mothers of infected children. However, adult sexual partners can transfer the eggs to each other. Pinworms also may infect the vagina and urethra.

How do adults know if they have pinworms?

An adult pinworm generally is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host's anal area to lay their eggs.

How do you keep pinworms from spreading?

Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food is the most successful way to prevent pinworm infection.

Can pinworms spread from person to person?

It's possible to get pinworms by inhaling airborne eggs, but this is rare. It's also rare to get pinworms from a swimming pool. Pinworms are spread from person to person. Pets don't get pinworms and can't spread them to humans.

How long does it take to get pinworms after exposure?

How long after exposure do symptoms begin? Two to six weeks.

Can you get pinworms from a toilet seat?

A person is infected with pinworms by ingesting pinworm eggs either directly or indirectly. These eggs are deposited around the anus by the worm and can be carried to common surfaces such as hands, toys, bedding, clothing, and toilet seats.

Do I need to change bedding everyday with worms?

Change bed linens and put clean clothes on the child every day. Wash used bed linen, all clothing, towels and washcloths in hot water with detergent daily. Vacuum carpets and floors well. Scrub washable areas.

Can pinworms go through clothing?

Pinworm eggs can also be transferred to the fingers from clothing or bedding, and then spread around the home. Eggs may be inhaled from the air or deposited onto food and swallowed. Pinworms can survive up to two weeks on clothing, bedding or other objects, if kept at room temperature.

How do you clean stuffed animals after pinworms?

You can clean plush toys in a washing machine; hard toys can be washed by hand with soap and water, in the top rack of the dishwasher or wiped with all-purpose cleaner and rinsed.

Is it hard to get rid of pinworms?

Pinworms can be a distressing nuisance and sometimes difficult to get rid of. Fortunately, this condition hardly ever leads to any serious illness. Pinworm infection is very common, occurring in children much more often than in adults. As many as one in five children will be bothered by this parasite.

How long do pinworm eggs live on sheets?

Pinworm eggs become infective within a few hours after being deposited on the skin around the anus and can survive for 2 to 3 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects.

How do you shower with pinworms?

Bathe carefully every day. Be sure to clean the skin around the anus. This will remove pinworm eggs. Showers may be better than baths because you have less chance of getting water that has pinworm eggs into your mouth.

Why do pinworms keep coming back after treatment?

Reinfection does happen with pinworm

Eggs are swallowed, usually after hand-to-mouth contact, and the pinworm infection begins again. Pinworm eggs may spread to shared surfaces, such as bedding, curtains, toilets, doorknobs, towels, utensils, and furniture. These areas should be kept clean to avoid reinfection.

What happens after you take pinworm medicine?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach/abdominal cramps, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or loss of appetite may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.