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Comment by Epa095

18 hours ago

  Pinworms are particularly common in children, with prevalence rates in this age group having been reported as high as 61% in India, 50% in England, 39% in Thailand, 37% in Sweden, and 29% in Denmark. [1]

Remember that

  prevalence is the proportion of a particular population found to be affected by a medical condition (typically a disease or a risk factor such as smoking or seatbelt use) at a specific time.

So it is not just that percentage has had it at any point in their life, it is that percentage that has it at any time.

And yes, kids. Pinworm is literally called 'children worm' here.

1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinworm_(parasite)#burkhart200...

That’s interesting, thanks. Looks like it’s 11%-ish in the US which is lower than the other cited countries but still more common than I would have guessed.

  • If you’re a suburban kid, GenX or later you may have missed the peaks. In the 60s, it was more like 35-45% of kids.

    Things like rules for handwashing and standards for things like residential plumbing improved hygiene and reduced ringworms. Many urban and rural households didn’t have things we take for granted like hot water!

    • Millennial. But I was thinking less about my own childhood and more about never treating my kids or (with the one exception) hearing of friends treat theirs.

      > ringworms

      Typo? Ringworm is fungal despite the name.