How are pinworms spread?
Pinworms are spread from person to person. Pinworms of animals are not spread to people. Pinworms are spread when an uninfected person touches the anal area of an infected person (eg. during diaper changing), sheets or other articles contaminated with pinworm eggs and then touches their mouth, transferring the eggs and swallowing the eggs. An infected person can spread pinworms by scratching the anal area, and contaminating food or other objects, which are then eaten or touched by uninfected persons. Pinworms can be spread as long as either worms or eggs are present. An uninfected person picks up pinworm eggs from an infected person’s clothes, sheets or surroundings. The eggs can survive up to 2 weeks away from a human host. How are they diagnosed? A physician can do a simple test to check for pinworms by applying transparent adhesive tape to the perianal area and examining the tape microscopically for eggs. If they are found, the pinworms can be treated with medication. All household
