Hookworm Infection Overview
Learn About Hookworm Infection
Hookworm infection is caused by roundworms. The disease affects the small intestine and lungs.
Hookworm disease; Ground itch; Ancylostoma duodenale infection; Necator americanus infection; Parasitic infection - hookworm
The infection is caused by infestation with any of the following roundworms:
- Necator americanus
- Ancylostoma duodenale
- Ancylostoma ceylanicum
- Ancylostoma braziliense
The first two roundworms affect humans only. The last two types also occur in animals.
Hookworm disease is common in the moist tropics and subtropics. In developing nations, the disease leads to the death of many children by weakening their immune system and increasing their risk for infections that their bodies would normally fight off.
There is very little risk of getting the disease in the United States because of advances in sanitation and waste control. The important factor in getting the disease is walking barefoot on the ground where there are feces of people who are infected with hookworm.
The larvae (immature form of the worm) enter the skin. The larvae move to the lungs via the bloodstream and enter the airways. The worms are about one-half inches (1.27 centimeters) long.
After traveling up the windpipe, the larvae are swallowed. After the larvae are swallowed, they infect the small intestine. They develop into adult worms and live there for 1 or more years. The worms attach to the intestinal wall and suck blood, which can result in iron deficiency anemia and protein loss. Adult worms and larvae are released in the feces.
Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Gas
- Itchy rash
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting
- Pale skin
Most people have no symptoms once the worms enter the intestines.
The goals of treatment are to:
- Cure the infection
- Treat complications of anemia
- Improve nutrition
Parasite-killing medicines such as albendazole, mebendazole, or pyrantel pamoate are often prescribed.
Symptoms and complications of anemia are treated, if needed. Your health care provider will likely recommend increasing the amount of protein in your diet.
Michael Cappello is an Infectious Disease provider in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Cappello is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hookworm Infection. His top areas of expertise are Hookworm Infection, Secernentea Infections, Helminthiasis, and Malaria.
Alex Loukas practices in Cairns, Australia. Mr. Loukas is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hookworm Infection. His top areas of expertise are Hookworm Infection, Angiostrongyliasis, Helminthiasis, and Distomatosis.
Roy Anderson practices in London, United Kingdom. Mr. Anderson is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Hookworm Infection. His top areas of expertise are Helminthiasis, Hookworm Infection, Angiostrongyliasis, and Schistosomiasis.
You will have a complete recovery if you get treated before serious complications develop. Treatment gets rid of the infection.
Health problems that may result from hookworm infection include:
- Iron deficiency anemia, caused by loss of blood
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Severe protein loss with fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
Contact your provider for an appointment if symptoms of hookworm infection develop.
Handwashing and wearing shoes will reduce the likelihood of infection.
Summary: This clinical trial compares two treatments - ivermectin and moxidectin - to learn which is better at reducing the proportion of people with onchocerciasis (river blindness) when given through mass drug administration (MDA) in Angola. Both drugs are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat this disease. The study also explores how these treatments affect other infe...
Summary: An experimental hookworm infection model is being developed to provide early proof-of-concept that a hookworm vaccine targeting the blood-feeding pathway of adult hookworms is feasible and efficacious. The proposed model consists of vaccinating healthy, hookworm-naïve adults with a candidate hookworm vaccine, followed by challenging them with the investigational product, Necator americanus Larval ...
Published Date: August 05, 2025
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Diemert DJ. Nematode infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 327.
Hotez PJ. Hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp.). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 338.
Mejia R, Weatherhead J, Hotez PJ. Intestinal nematodes (roundworms). In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 292.