However, most cases are easy to treat, explains Tina Green
Threadworm is most common among children under the age of 10 and surveys have highlighted that up to 30 per cent of pre-school children can be affected. Infection rates start to rise in October and tend to reach a peak in midwinter.
Anyone can get threadworms - they are not a sign of poor hygiene, and family pets are not responsible for harbouring or transmitting them.
What are threadworms?
Threadworms (Enterobius vermicularis) or 'pinworms' look like wriggling pieces of white cotton thread, about 2-13mm in length. They live in the rectum and are generally harmless, although there can be some rare complications. They are especially common in younger children but can spread to all the family.
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