question received:

I am told I have worms (probably from my kids) but when I look this up on the net I can find nothing about them that doesn’t frighten me to death. Surely the little 1cm long white things I have aren’t related to these huge long round and tape worms I see spread over the net? AND what is the best way to rid me and my family of our little interlopers please?!

 

response:

I am told I have worms (probably from my kids) but when I look this up on the net I can find nothing about them that doesn’t frighten me to death. Surely the little 1cm long white things I have aren’t related to these huge long round and tape worms I see spread over the net? AND what is the best way to rid me and my family of our little interlopers please?!

26th May 2025

The first step will be to visit your doctor so that the worms can be identified. From your description, it seems likely that you have been infected with a small roundworm such as Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) rather than tapeworm, so don’t be too distracted by the images of larger worms you have seen during your Internet search. Treatment with oral medication (such as Pyrantel pamoate or Mebendazole) is highly effective and it is best to treat the whole family. Good hygiene practices will be required to prevent reinfection, for example washing of hands before food preparation and eating, and frequent washing of underwear and bedding.