The Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. Its name references the shape of the worm which looks like a whip with wider ”handles” at the posterior end. The Whipworm lives in the soil during its egg stage, and once it is ingested by its host, it will develop into the larvae stage. Once in the intestines, it will mature into the adult stage. Physically, it has a narrow anterior esophageal end and a shorter and thick posterior end. They are pinkish-white and threaded through the mucosa where they will attach to the host through the anterior end and feed on tissue secretions.
The Whipworm has an overall length between 1.18”-1.97” (3-5 cm) and diameter of .12”-.14” (3-3.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Whipworm is between 1-3 years.
The Whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) is a parasitic roundworm that causes trichuriasis when it infects a human large intestine. Its name references the shape of the worm which looks like a whip with wider ”handles” at the posterior end. The Whipworm lives in the soil during its egg stage, and once it is ingested by its host, it will develop into the larvae stage. Once in the intestines, it will mature into the adult stage. Physically, it has a narrow anterior esophageal end and a shorter and thick posterior end. They are pinkish-white and threaded through the mucosa where they will attach to the host through the anterior end and feed on tissue secretions.
The Whipworm has an overall length between 1.18”-1.97” (3-5 cm) and diameter of .12”-.14” (3-3.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Whipworm is between 1-3 years.
