A group of infections caused by worms that live in soil, including hookworm, roundworm and whipworm.
These infections affect the intestines. They spread when the mouth or the skin has contact with soil infected by human stool. These infections are most common in warm, moist climates with poor sanitation.
Symptoms can be serious. They include belly pain, diarrhea and a condition where the rectum slips outside the anus. Children with these infections may be poorly nourished. They may have slowed mental and physical growth.
These infections are treated with medicines that kill the worms.