# Hookworm infestation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2007, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464 "2007-08-22T04:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/1 "2007-08-22T04:38:01Z")
I remember reading an account some time ago, which I think was linked from here, of a guy who intentionally acquired a parasitic infection in order to treat some other weird condition. I think the parasite was hookworm, but I’m not sure. My memory is that he traveled to Africa and walked around in feces until he picked it up. Does anyone know what I’m talking about? ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/2 "2007-08-22T04:56:48Z")
Pig whipworm eggs have been studied for use in humans who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. The whipworms do not develop normally in a human host but do seem to modulate the immune system in a way that can reduce the symptoms of IBD.[Link.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15825065&query_hl=73&itool=pubmed_docsum) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/3 "2007-08-22T05:02:19Z")
Each region of Thailand has its own specific main health problem. In the North, it’s iodine deficiency. In the Northeast, liver fluke. In the Central region, obesity (this is the wealthiest part of the country and includes Bangkok). In the South, it’s hookworm. You do get it through your feet by walking over feces-affected ground, so the story is plausible, at least as far as his picking it up that way. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/4 "2007-08-22T06:32:27Z")
**Sam** I keep reading your posts about Thailand, and thinking I would love to visit there. Now I’m not too sure about if I want to. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/5 "2007-08-22T07:18:34Z")
To the OP: [This](http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2006/4/30/91945/8971) is what you read. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/6 "2007-08-22T07:52:16Z")
Some of the dialogue following the article is fascinating – I wish there was a way to know if the posters are authentic. The author started a website, [“Autoimmune Therapies”](http://autoimmunetherapies.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/7 "2007-08-22T13:22:16Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] **Sam** I keep reading your posts about Thailand, and thinking I would love to visit there. Now I’m not too sure about if I want to. :eek: [/QUOTE] Just don’t walk barefoot through shit, and you’ll do okay. 😃😛😉 ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/8 "2007-08-22T16:23:50Z")
[QUOTE=Indistinguishable] To the OP: [This](http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2006/4/30/91945/8971) is what you read. [/QUOTE] It is indeed. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hookworm-infestation/416464/9 "2007-08-22T17:24:29Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Just don’t walk barefoot through shit, and you’ll do okay. 😃😛😉 [/QUOTE] Words to live by