Pinworm infection is a common problem among children in school or day care. The most common symptom is rectal itching. Girls may have vaginal itching. The worms are acquired from another person, usually by transference of the small pinworm eggs which may be present in the fingernails of someone who has been itching. The worms will be visible near the anus at night or in the early morning.
The best treatment is a chewable tablet called Vermox (mebendazole), available by prescription. Every member of your family older than age two should take one tablet, followed by a second tablet two weeks later. This is a very effective treatment, but reinfection from another untreated child is common. Control of this infection in a day care center may be especially difficult.