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All members of a household of a patient with pinworms should be treated.

True
False:

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User Ari M
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Final answer:

True, all members of a household should be treated for pinworms to prevent spread and reinfection; medications like mebendazole, albendazole, and pyrantel pamoate are used for treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

True. When dealing with an infection caused by pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis), it is recommended that all members of the patient's household receive treatment. Pinworms are highly contagious, and transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route, often because eggs become lodged under the fingernails when an infected individual scratches the perianal area. The eggs are then easily spread to household surfaces or directly to other individuals.

Treatment with medications such as mebendazole, albendazole, or pyrantel pamoate is effective, but because the risk of reinfection is high, especially among close contacts, treating everyone in the household can prevent the spread and recurrence of the infection. It is also important to maintain good hygiene practices, such as washing hands regularly and cleaning under fingernails, to further reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection.

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