LETTER TO PARENTS AND STAFF

In regards to letters to parents and staff:
  • This letter should not be sent unless a confirmed diagnosis is established
  • This letter has to be approved by the CLSC nurse before sending.

Date:

Child care service or school: ______

Dear parents,

Dear staff member,

OBJECT:OXYURIASIS (PINWORM)

A few students from child care or school are presently suffering from oxyuriasis (“pinworms”).It is generally a benign infection.

Oxyuriasis is an infestation of the intestine by small round worms, called pinworms. It often causes no symptoms but may cause anal itching by night, irritability, and disturbed sleep.

Worms are most likely seen in the anal region while sleeping (two or three hours after going to sleep). If you see worms, consult a pharmacist or a doctor to get treatment. The child and all householdmembers should be treated simultaneously. Please read carefully the attached information.

If no worms are seen but your child complains of itching in the anal area, consult a doctor with this letter in hand; a test could be offered.

If a diagnosis is made please inform the child care service or school.

The infected person can continue to attend the child care or school.

Oxyuriasis

Definition

Oxyuriasis is a common intestinal infection caused by a small rounded white worm that looks like a thread and is one cm long. These worms lay their eggs in the anal region by night.

Manifestations

Itching in the anal region by night as well as irritability and disturbed sleep are common manifestations. However, the infection is usually asymptomatic.

Transmission

Direct transfer of eggs by hand from anus to mouth or indirectly through clothing, bedding, and food or other articles contaminated with eggs of the parasite. The infected person can easily get re-infected with eggs around the anus.

Treatment

The infected person and all household members should be treated simultaneously whether they are symptomatic or not. This treatment should be repeated two weeks later. It is important to follow the doctor’s, pharmacist’s or manufacturer’s instructions.

Other measures

Because the treatment doesn’t kill the eggs, it is important to reinforce hygienic measures to avoid getting re-infected or transmitting the infection by

  • Keeping nails short to avoid eggs hiding under them
  • Washing the hands with soap and water and brushing the nails upon rising, before meals and after using the toilet.
  • Avoid scratching the anal region, bitingyour nails or putting hands in mouth.
  • Changing underwear and pyjamas every day.
  • Taking a shower every morning (better than bath that could be contaminated) will eliminate the eggs around the anus region.
  • During the treatment
  • wash in warm water all bed linen, pyjamas and underwear or blanket of infected persons
  • do not shake these items to avoid spreading the pinworm eggs into the air.
  • vacuum all bedrooms

Thank you for your cooperation,

Name: ______

(Print)

Signature: ______

Phone number: ______

July 2016 source: Prévention et contrôle des infections dans les services de garde et écoles du Québec. Guide d’intervention