The highest priority for family education is strict hand hygiene and short fingernails for all household members to break the fecal-oral transmission cycle.
Hygiene Protocol
- Trim fingernails short and keep them clean; avoid nail-biting.
- Perform thorough handwashing with soap and water after using the toilet, before eating, and upon waking.
- Shower each morning to remove eggs deposited overnight.
Environmental Control
- Wash all bedding, pajamas, and underwear in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum and damp-dust living areas to remove eggs from surfaces.
- Avoid shaking linens to prevent aerosolizing eggs.
Key Point: Treat all household members simultaneously with medication (e.g., albendazole or mebendazole) as prescribed, with a repeat dose in 2 weeks. Eggs can survive on fomites for 2-3 weeks.