Hookworm in Emergency Medicine Treatment & Management
- Author: Anika Baxter Tam, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD more...
Emergency Department Care
Larval migration phase
- Wheezing and cough are managed with inhaled beta agonists.
- Steroids may cause pulmonary symptoms to become exacerbated, particularly in patients with Strongyloides infection.
Early infection (ground itch)
- Thiabendazole may be used topically to attack migrating larvae.
- Larvae are susceptible to antihelminthic therapy (see Medication).
Established infection (adult/GI phase)
- Effective antihelminthic therapy is available.
- Need to treat hookworm anemia (ie, iron deficiency anemia).
Consultations
- Specialty consultation is not necessary unless anemia is severe. The primary physician must monitor anemia treatment.
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