We are back once again to mark National Deworming day, this allows us to shed some light on a year-round health essential: deworming. This article addresses:
What deworming is (Why Deworming Is Important for Children),
signs Your Child May Need Deworming,
how Worm Infections Spread and
tips to Prevent Intestinal Worms
Deworming
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) deworming is simply administering safe, single-dose anti-parasitic medicines—such as albendazole or mebendazole—to eliminate soil-transmitted intestinal worms (pinworms, tapeworm, whipworms, roundworms).
The what & why:
The risks and the outcomes of unchecked and untreated worm infestation includes—diarrhea, abdominal pain, malnutrition, intestinal obstruction and anemia.
When we properly and regularly deworm, we support growth and better nutrient absorption.
Signs Your Child May Need Deworming
If there is presence of one or more of these symptoms, it may be time to deworm:
– Diarrhea and sometimes bloody stool
– Visible Worms in stool or near the anus
– Persistent stomach pain and bloating
– Itching around the anus as commonly seen in pinworm infestation
– Poor appetite
– Irritability
– Unexplained weight loss
– Fatigue, pale skin to indicate pallor.
The how and prevention
How then are these Worms transmitted to cause harm to humans?
Below lies the answer.
– Contaminated soil (round worm, whip worm): We are at risk of being infected by these worms by ingestion. This could be by ingesting soil which already contains human feces infested with these eggs of these worms, from unwashed hands after playing outdoors for children, from unwashed food grown near infested soil. These can be prevented by educating ourselves on handwashing etiquette before and after meals or after outdoor play, washing fruits and vegetables before consumption.
– Direct skin penetration (hookworms):
Hookworm larvae reside in contaminated soil and can burrow through human skin when we walk outside barefoot.This can be avoided by wearing shoes or sandals outside, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
– Person-to-person contact (pinworm):
Pinworms spread easily through contact with contaminated hands, shared bedding, clothing or surfaces (eggs of pinworms can survive for days). These areas can be contaminated when an untreated individual scratches an itchy anus and touches other things.
The prevention is to constantly and frequently wash our hands after using the bathroom and before eating, do not bite your nails; instead, proper and regular nail trimming is encouraged, wash bedding and clothing in hot water regularly, and treat the whole household together if one person in a shared house is infected, since it spreads so easily.
– Unclean water or food:
Drinking untreated water or undercooked meat/fish can transmit specific worms like tapeworms. Prevention here is sticking to clean or boiled water, cooking meats and fish thoroughly.
Lastly everyone has a part to play in lightening the burden of worm infestation in our communities by understanding the signs, the modes in which the worms are transmitted, the various prevention tips that can be done and most importantly — adhering to the regimen, guidance and dosage on deworming schedules provided by trusted health authorities.
Happy National Deworming day
0 Comments