Maintaining Sound Health by Regular Family Deworming

A worm is an example of an endoparasite, that is a parasite that lives inside the host. Parasites are very dangerous as they harm the host. Worm infections can have huge devastating effects on adults as well as children. A lot of health problems can arise from worms infestation. You have to deworm yourself regularly to deal with problems associated with worm infestation no matter how high the level of  hygiene you practice may be. Worms can make someone looks malnourished, sickly, can cause repeated stomach pains & in very severe cases can lead to death.

How Worm Infection Occur

Worm infection occurs when infective eggs or larvae enter the body either by penetrating through the skin or by being ingested through contaminated food & drinks we take. Once inside the body these effective eggs mature, lay eggs & feed off the host. Round worm, hookworm & whip-worm are the three common types of intestinal worms that infect humans.

How are worms Spread

Worms can be spread commonly by 
1. Eating & drinking contaminated food & water.
2. When or skins,hands & feets comes in contact with contaminated soil   

Eating & Drinking Contaminated Food & Water

1.  Worms can be transmitted by ingesting infective eggs from human feaces that contaminate drinking water, foods & hands. Flies, cockroaches & rats in our living environment can also transmit worm eggs'.
2. Once the infective eggs enter into the human body, the larvae hatch in the duodenum & are carried in the blood vessels, through the liver & heart, to reach the lungs in three days. The larvae develop further in the lungs, penetrate the air sacs,  ascend to the trachea & are re-swallowed down the oesophagus to reach the small intestine.They develop into adults in about 60-75days & then live inside the intestine of the human host up to 1.5 years'.

When our Skin comes in contact with Contaminated Soil

• Infective larvae of Hookworm, Roundworm, & Whip-worm can penetrate the skin of bare hands that have contacted with contaminated soil. They enter peripheral lymph vessels & are carried with the blood stream,making its way to the heart, blood vessels, air sacs, oesophagus, small intestine & causing health problems'.

Health Problems Associated with Intestinal Worm Infections

Worm infections can lead to grievous consequences on both adults & children. The following problems can arise and they include:

1.  retarded physical development.
2.  impaired learning & slow cognitive development which can lead to poor academic performance.
3.  Malnutrition
4. Substernal pain'.
5.  vitamin A & C deficiency'.
6.  Intestinal obstruction which can lead to death.
7.  Abdominal pain
8.  Digestive disorders, nausea, vomiting, restlessness & disturbed sleep.
9.  Ulcers
10.  Iron-deficiency anemia.
11.  Pneumonitis with cough & shortness of breath.

How to Prevent Worm Infections

• Regularly deworm yourself & your family once in 4 months.
•  Clean toilet seats & potties regularly.
• Wash fruits & vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
• Make sure that you cook your food, meats & vegetables properly before consumption.
• Always maintain a good level of hygiene & engage in regular environmental sanitation.
• Always wash your hands after visiting the toilet, before eating or preparing your food, coming in contact with soil & animals.
• Don't litter your surroundings with faeces.  

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