- Transmission of most roundworms that infect humans--including Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, pinworms and whipworms--occurs when roundworm eggs or larvae in the soil get into your body through your mouth or directly through your skin.
- The NIAID states that transmission of Trichinella spirali, a parasitic roundworm that infects meat-eating mammals, occurs when larvae migrate to the muscle tissue of their host animals. When you eat undercooked meat from a contaminated animal, digestive juices release the larvae, which then infect your body.
- Most types of roundworm eggs leave the host body in contaminated feces. According to the World Health Organization, these eggs require a period of time in direct contact with soil to mature (usually about two to three weeks) before they actually become infective and can be transmitted to other hosts.
- Some types of roundworms that infect animal species, such as dogs and cats, can be transmitted to humans, as well; transmission typically occurs when you ingest an infected animal's contaminated feces.
- Key steps to preventing roundworm transmission include practicing good personal hygiene (such as washing hands after using the restroom), wearing shoes outside and cooking meat completely.
