4Sep/090
Whipworms Complications and Treatment
Whipworms are parasitic roundworms of the species Trichuris trichiura that infect a child’s intestinal tract. About two million Americans are affected, primarily children. The eggs of these worms are remarkably hardy and may resist freezing.
Cause
Whipworm infestation occurs when a child comes in contact with or ingests whipworm eggs in fecalcontaminated soil. Whipworms are small worms about one or two inches long that can live in the intestines for up to 20 years. Once the eggs hatch, the whipworm embeds itself into the mucous membrane. While the worms live in the large intestine and the appendix, they may infest the colon as well.