Recruitment Flyer

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections in
Children: Free Testing and Treatment
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham, with funding from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, will be assessing volunteers ages 6 – 18
years for these infections in Wilcox, Perry and Lowndes counties.
• If participants tests positive, they will be provided a safe and simple treatment.
• Families living in these counties will be paid up to $150 per child for submitting
samples of stool (poop).

Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections

• Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections were once common throughout the
southeastern U.S.
• Recent investigations have raised the concern that these infections may be ongoing.
• STH infections include hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. These worms can live inside
a person’s digestive tract (intestines) and in contaminated soil.
• Decades ago, disease detection and treatment campaigns reduced community STH
infection levels, however, no such projects have been conducted in Alabama in a long time.

What are symptoms of STH?

• Most people with light infection will have no symptoms.
• However, those with heavy infections are at risk for low blood levels (anemia), diarrhea,
blood and protein loss, and may get tired easily or have difficulty learning.
• Sometimes infections can cause rashes, itchy skin, or breathing problems.

How do infections occur?

• Once a person has an STH infection, such as hookworm, they can remain infected for years
if not treated.
• While in a person’s body, a hookworm lays eggs, and these eggs pass out in poop.
• If sewage contaminates the environment, these eggs can live in the soil and place new
people at risk of infection.
• Children are at highest risk for these types of infections.

Will I ever see a worm?

• Most of the time, worms in poop will not be visible.
• Sometimes the worm can be pooped out and look like a piece of thread or string.

DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

How does a person get diagnosed with STH infection?

• The best way is to examine a poop sample under a microscope. It may take 3 separate
samples to find the infection.

How are STH infections treated?

• A single pill of medicine called Albendazole is used to treat this infection.

Why is treating this infection important?

• If left untreated these infections lead to bad health effects, such as low blood levels or long
lasting diarrhea.
• Infections in children can affect body growth, memory and learning.

Life Cycle of a Hookworm
(One type of intestinal infection)

For more information on how to participate
Call (205) 354-8660 or toll-free: 1-877-975-7280 (ask about Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds)
Doctors and nurses from UAB will be available to treat infections and answer any
questions you might have.

DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH