ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hookworm

Hookworms are tiny worms that live inside your body, particularly in your intestines. They are very small and you cannot see them with your eyes because they are less than half an inch long. Hookworms can live inside humans and animals and they get their name because they have little hooks on their mouth that they use to attach to the walls of your intestines.

Hookworms are usually spread from one person to another when they walk barefoot on the ground, especially in warm and humid areas. When you walk barefoot, hookworms can enter your body through your skin, and once inside it can move to your lungs and then into your intestines. The worms then use their hooks to attach to the walls of your intestines and start sucking your blood.

As the worms suck blood from your body, it can cause a lot of problems. You might start to feel really tired and weak because the worms are taking away so much of your blood. You might also have stomach problems like diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Over time, the worms can make you very sick and cause a condition known as anemia.

To prevent hookworms, it's important to always wear shoes when you're walking on the ground, especially in warm and humid areas. You should also wash your hands often and avoid drinking contaminated water. If you think you may have hookworms, you should see a doctor right away, because they can prescribe medicine to kill the worms and make you feel better.