People acquire the infection by eating foods contaminated with soil that contains whipworm eggs or by swallowing eggs after having contact with contaminated soil.
People may have no symptoms or may have abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, bleeding from the intestine, or anemia, depending on the severity of the infection.
Doctors usually diagnose the infection by identifying eggs in a stool sample.
Adequate sanitation and good personal hygiene help prevent spread of the infection.
An antiparasitic drug such as albendazole is used to treat the infection.
(See also Overview of Parasitic Infections Overview of Parasitic Infections A parasite is an organism that lives on or inside another organism (the host) and benefits (for example, by getting nutrients) from the host at the host's expense. Although this definition actually... read more .)
Trichuriasis is a common infection, occurring mainly in the subtropics and tropics, where poor sanitation and a warm, moist climate provide the conditions needed for Trichuris eggs to incubate in the soil. It also occurs in the southern United States. About 604 to 795 million people, mostly children, are infected worldwide.
Transmission of whipworm infection
People acquire the parasite by
Swallowing food contaminated by soil that contains eggs
Transferring eggs from their hands to their mouth after contact with contaminated soil
Children may swallow contaminated soil.
The larvae hatch in the small intestine, migrate to the large intestine, and embed their heads in the lining of the intestine. Each larva grows into a worm that is about 4 1/2 inches (11 centimeters) long and is estimated to live 1 to 2 years, although some may live longer. Female whipworms produce eggs, which are excreted in the stool.
Symptoms of Whipworm Infection
Mild whipworm infections often cause no symptoms.
Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea occur when a large number of worms are present in the colon. Weight loss, bleeding from the intestine, and anemia Overview of Anemia Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is low. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that enables them to carry oxygen from the lungs and deliver it to all parts... read more may result, especially in children with heavy infections. Occasionally, a massive infection causes the rectum to protrude through the anus (rectal prolapse).
Diagnosis of Whipworm Infection
Examination of a stool sample
A doctor bases a diagnosis of trichuriasis on seeing the typical lemon-shaped eggs in stool samples examined under a microscope or occasionally by observing adult worms during a colonoscopy or proctoscopy (examination of the rectum with a viewing tube).
A complete blood count is done to check for anemia.
Prevention of Whipworm Infection
Prevention of whipworm infection depends on
Adequate sanitation (particularly sanitary toilet facilities)
Good personal hygiene
Hands should be washed before handling food, and unwashed fruits and vegetables should be avoided.
Sometimes a single large dose of albendazole or mebendazole is given to groups of people, particularly children, who are at risk of being infected with whipworms (and other worms spread through contaminated soil, such as hookworms Hookworm Infection Hookworm infection is a roundworm infection of the intestines that can cause an itchy rash, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, and eventually iron deficiency anemia due to ongoing loss... read more 
and Ascaris Ascariasis Ascariasis is infection caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, an intestinal roundworm, or occasionally by Ascaris suum (which causes ascariasis in pigs). People acquire the infection... read more 
). This treatment helps prevent complications of these infections.
Treatment of Whipworm Infection
Mebendazole, albendazole, or ivermectin (antiparasitic drugs that eliminate worms—anthelmintic drugs)
Mebendazole, albendazole, or ivermectin, taken by mouth, is used to treat whipworm infection. Mebendazole taken twice daily for 3 days is preferred for heavy infections.
Albendazole or ivermectin taken once a day for 3 days is an alternative.
Usually, none of these drugs is given to pregnant women because these drugs can harm the fetus.
If people have been to areas in Africa where Loa loa is transmitted, doctors check them for loiasis Loiasis Loiasis is infection of tissues under the skin or under the clear outer membrane that covers the eye (conjunctiva) with the roundworm Loa loa. Itchy swellings may appear, mainly on the... read more 
before giving them ivermectin because ivermectin can cause serious brain inflammation (encephalitis) in people with loiasis.
