Which statement about pinworm prevention is accurate?

Which statement about pinworm prevention is accurate?

• A. Infected individuals should wash hands consistently, keep nails short, avoid biting nails, and avoid scratching around the anal area
• B. Antibiotics are routinely recommended for household contacts
• C. Daily sun exposure prevents infection
• D. No hygiene measures are effective

Answer: (A)

Preventing pinworm infection hinges on interrupting the fecal-oral cycle through careful hygiene. The statement is correct because transmission occurs when eggs around the anal area are transferred to hands and then ingested or spread to surfaces and objects others touch. Washing hands consistently after bathroom use and before meals removes eggs from the hands; keeping nails short and avoiding nail-biting or scratching around the anal region reduces the chance of eggs getting under the nails and into the mouth or onto others. Pinworm eggs can survive on bedding, clothing, and surfaces for weeks, so these hygiene measures are essential for preventing spread within a household. In contrast, routine antibiotics for household contacts aren’t recommended for prevention, daily sun exposure doesn’t prevent infection, and hygiene measures do have a meaningful impact on transmission.

Preventing pinworm infection hinges on interrupting the fecal-oral cycle through careful hygiene. The statement is correct because transmission occurs when eggs around the anal area are transferred to hands and then ingested or spread to surfaces and objects others touch. Washing hands consistently after bathroom use and before meals removes eggs from the hands; keeping nails short and avoiding nail-biting or scratching around the anal region reduces the chance of eggs getting under the nails and into the mouth or onto others. Pinworm eggs can survive on bedding, clothing, and surfaces for weeks, so these hygiene measures are essential for preventing spread within a household. In contrast, routine antibiotics for household contacts aren’t recommended for prevention, daily sun exposure doesn’t prevent infection, and hygiene measures do have a meaningful impact on transmission.