Which helminthic infection is the most common in the United States?

Enterobiasis, commonly known as pinworm infection, is indeed the most prevalent helminthic infection in the United States. This condition is caused by the Enterobius vermicularis parasite, which predominantly affects children but can also be found in adults. The mode of transmission is primarily through the fecal-oral route, where eggs are ingested, often via contaminated surfaces or hands.

Symptoms of enterobiasis can include itching around the anus, irritability, and in some cases, secondary bacterial infections due to scratching. The life cycle of the pinworm is such that it facilitates easy transmission, as the female pinworm lays eggs around the anal area during the night, leading to rapid spread within households and schools.

In comparison, the other infections listed are less common in the U.S. Schistosomiasis, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions and is not endemic in the U.S. Diphyllothriasis, an infection caused by the fish tapeworm, is more common in regions with specific dietary patterns involving raw or undercooked fish. Trichinosis, caused by Trichinella species, has significantly declined due to improved food