Diseases
whipworm
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Trichuris trichiura, Trichocephalus trichiuris or whipworm, is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. It is commonly known as the whipworm which refers to the shape of the worm; it looks like a whip with wider "handles" at the posterior end.
Symptoms
- diarrhea
- stomach (abdominal) pain
- severe tiredness and weakness (fatigue)
- high fever and chills
- muscle pain and tenderness
Causes
- people get trichinosis when they eat raw or undercooked meat that is infected with the larvae of the trichinella roundworm parasite.
- you can't get trichinosis from beef, as cows don't eat meat.
- you can also get trichinosis when beef or other meat is ground in a grinder previously used to grind infected meat.
Risk factors
- improper food preparation.
- rural areas. trichinosis is more common in rural areas around the world.
- eating wild or noncommercial meats.
Diagnosis
- blood tests.
- muscle biopsy.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is whipworm?
Trichuris trichiura, Trichocephalus trichiuris or whipworm, is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. It is commonly known as the whipworm which refers to the shape of the worm; it looks like a whip with wider "handles" at the posterior end.
What are the symptoms of whipworm?
diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain, severe tiredness and weakness (fatigue), high fever and chills, muscle pain and tenderness
What causes whipworm?
people get trichinosis when they eat raw or undercooked meat that is infected with the larvae of the trichinella roundworm parasite.; you can't get trichinosis from beef, as cows don't eat meat.; you can also get trichinosis when beef or other meat is ground in a grinder previously used to grind infected meat.
Which medicines are used for whipworm?
flubendazole, mebendazole
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.