Hookworm vs. Tapeworm — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
Hookworms are parasitic nematodes that infect the small intestine, often causing anemia, whereas tapeworms are flat, segmented worms that can grow several meters long inside the host's intestines.
Difference Between Hookworm and Tapeworm
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hookworms are small, cylindrical parasites that attach to the lining of the host's small intestine, absorbing nutrients directly through their skin, leading to potential iron deficiency and anemia. Whereas tapeworms latch onto the intestinal walls using their scolex (head) and absorb nutrients through their skin as they inhabit the intestines, often without causing significant immediate symptoms.
The life cycle of a hookworm involves larvae in the soil penetrating the skin of a host, traveling through the bloodstream to the lungs, and then to the intestines where they mature. On the other hand, tapeworms typically enter a host through ingestion of larvae in undercooked meat, where they then mature directly in the intestines.
Hookworms release thousands of eggs that are excreted in the host's feces, which can contaminate soil and spread the infection in unsanitary conditions. In contrast, tapeworm segments, each containing eggs, break off and are expelled in the feces, potentially leading to environmental contamination and reinfection.
A hookworm infection can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and severe anemia, particularly in heavy infections. Tapeworm infections might remain asymptomatic for a long time or cause vague symptoms like abdominal discomfort or weight loss.
Hookworm treatments usually involve antiparasitic medications that kill the adult worms, like albendazole or mebendazole. Meanwhile, tapeworm infections are treated with drugs such as praziquantel, which specifically targets adult tapeworms in the intestines.
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Comparison Chart
Classification
Nematode (roundworm)
Cestode (flatworm)
Infection method
Skin penetration or oral ingestion of larvae
Ingestion of larvae in undercooked meat
Primary location
Small intestine
Small intestine
Symptoms
Anemia, abdominal pain, diarrhea
Often asymptomatic, possible abdominal pain
Treatment
Albendazole, Mebendazole
Praziquantel
Compare with Definitions
Hookworm
Causes symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Many children in endemic areas show symptoms of hookworm infestations.
Tapeworm
Acquired by consuming undercooked meat containing larvae.
Eating undercooked pork can lead to a tapeworm infection.
Hookworm
Primarily affects humans by penetrating the skin or through direct ingestion.
Walking barefoot in contaminated soil can lead to a hookworm infection.
Tapeworm
Segments of the worm, containing eggs, are passed in feces.
Discovering segments in feces is a common way to diagnose a tapeworm infection.
Hookworm
Treatment involves antiparasitic medications.
Albendazole is commonly prescribed for hookworm clearance.
Tapeworm
Often remains asymptomatic for years.
Many people with tapeworm infections do not exhibit any immediate symptoms.
Hookworm
Can lead to iron deficiency and poor protein nutrition.
Chronic hookworm infections can severely impair child development.
Tapeworm
Treated with specific antiparasitic drugs.
Praziquantel is effective against most types of tapeworms.
Hookworm
A parasitic nematode that infects the intestines of its host.
Hookworm infections are a major cause of anemia in tropical regions.
Tapeworm
A flat, segmented parasitic worm that inhabits the intestines.
Tapeworms can reach up to several meters in length within the human intestine.
Hookworm
Infestation of the intestines by hookworms which enter the body (usually) through the skin
Tapeworm
Any of various long segmented parasitic flatworms of the class Cestoda that lack a digestive system and have hooks or suckers for attaching to the intestines of vertebrates, including humans. Also called cestode.
Tapeworm
(countable) Any parasitical worm of the class or infraclass Cestoda, which infest the intestines of animals, including humans, often infecting different host species during their life cycle.
Tapeworm
(countable) A broad fish tapeworm, Diphyllobothrium latum.
Tapeworm
(uncountable) Infection by tapeworms.
Tapeworm
Ribbon-like flatworms that are parasitic in the intestines of humans and other vertebrates
Common Curiosities
What are hookworms?
Hookworms are parasitic nematodes that primarily infect the intestines, causing anemia and nutritional deficiencies.
What are the symptoms of a hookworm infection?
Symptoms include gastrointestinal discomfort, anemia, and fatigue.
Can tapeworms be seen in the stool?
Yes, segments of tapeworms, sometimes containing eggs, can be visible in the stool.
Are hookworm and tapeworm infections preventable?
Yes, by avoiding walking barefoot in endemic areas and thoroughly cooking meat, respectively.
How do people get tapeworms?
People can get tapeworms by eating undercooked meat from infected animals.
Can hookworm infections lead to serious health issues?
Yes, particularly severe anemia and protein loss in heavy infections.
How do you prevent tapeworm infections?
By thoroughly cooking meat to safe temperatures and practicing good food hygiene.
How are hookworm infections treated?
Treatments include antiparasitic medications such as albendazole or mebendazole.
Do hookworms affect animals or just humans?
Hookworms can infect both humans and animals.
What types of meat commonly harbor tapeworm larvae?
Pork, beef, and fish are common sources if undercooked.
Can hookworms be transmitted from person to person?
No, they require soil to complete their lifecycle outside the human host.
What are common treatments for tapeworm infections?
Common treatments include medications like praziquantel.
How do hookworms enter the human body?
Through the skin from contaminated soil or less commonly, through ingested larvae.
What are the long-term effects of tapeworm infections?
Long-term effects can include nutritional deficiencies and intestinal blockages.
What is the life cycle of a tapeworm?
It includes ingestion of larvae, development in intestines, and passing of segments with eggs through feces.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
