Are Pinworms Contagious?
Can my family become infected with pinworms from swimming pools?
Pinworm infections are rarely spread through the use of swimming pools. Pinworm infections occur when a person swallows pinworm eggs picked up from contaminated surfaces or fingers. Although chlorine levels found in pools are not high enough to kill pinworm eggs, the presence of a small number of pinworm eggs in thousands of gallons of water (the amount typically found in pools) makes the chance of infection unlikely.
My little kids like to co-bathe - could this be how they are becoming infected?
During this treatment time and two weeks after final treatment, it is a good idea to avoid co-bathing and the reuse or sharing of washcloths. Showering may be preferred to avoid possible contamination of bath water. Careful handling and frequent changing of underclothing, night clothes, towels, and bedding can help reduce infection, reinfection, and environmental contamination with pinworm eggs. These items should be laundered in hot water, especially after each treatment of the infected person and after each usage of washcloths until infection is cleared.
Did my pets give me pinworms / can I give pinworms to my pets?
No. Humans are considered to be the only hosts of E. vermicularis which is also known as the human pinworm.
SOURCE: CDC.gov. Parasites - Enterobiasis.


