Current RMA Instruments
| 67 of 2025 | |
|---|---|
| 68 of 2025 |
Changes from previous Instruments
ICD Coding
- ICD-10-AM Codes: B76.0, B76.1, B76.9
Brief description
Hookworm is a parasitic intestinal infection commonly found in impoverished rural regions with warm wet climates, including some remote communities in northern Australia. Transmission occurs when human faeces contaminate the soil, the larvae survive in favourable conditions (warm, moist, shaded soil), and the skin comes into contact with contaminated ground. Most infections are asymptomatic.
Confirming the diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by examination of stool to identify hookworm eggs. However, hookworm infection is usually not detected in stool until about 6 weeks after the initial infection. Microscopy examination is important to exclude the involvement of infection from other organisms such as roundworms and whipworms. There can be more than one type of helminth infection occurring at the same time.
General practitioners often confirm this diagnosis based on consistent clinical history and stool microscopy results. However, Infectious Diseases physicians often become involved in complicated or severe cases.
Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
- Ancylostomiasis
- Infection with Ancylostoma duodenale, A. ceylanicum, A. caninum or Necator americanus.
Conditions that are excluded from SOP
- Ascariasis *
- Whipworm infection #
* another SOP applies
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset
Hookworm infection can cause acute symptoms such as transient skin itch (commonly on the feet), cutaneous larva migrans, mild cough and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea). In endemic areas, chronic infection may lead to anaemia, mild eosinophilia and nutritional impairment. Acute symptoms typically develop within days to a few months after exposure. Although most infections resolve spontaneously within one to two years, some may persist longer. Chronic manifestations usually reflect repeated exposure.
Clinical worsening
Infection from a single exposure is usually self-limiting and will resolve over time without treatment. When required, effective treatment is available with anthelminthic drugs. Any cases involving clinical worsening will involve an individual's inability to obtain appropriate clinical management. Advice about clinical worsening should be sought from an Infectious Diseases physician.