The whipworm that most often infests humans is Trichuris trichiura. Many of those that are infected with the parasites, however, do not exhibit symptoms. Only when large populations are present in a host do such problems as anemia, pallor, and dysentery occur. Yet, children may suffer more severely from parasite infections than adults, and chronic whipworm infection may lead to mental or physical retardation in the young. Diagnosis of the condition can be difficult, but may easily be treated with medications once the parasitic cause is identified.