The Causes Of Worm Infection And How To Get Rid Of It

Deworming is the process of expelling intestinal or parasitic worms from the body by administering an anthelmintic drug.

In other words, it is a medicated process for killing worms. There is a misconception that adults don’t need to deworm. Research has shown that both adults and children above one year old need to deworm regularly.

Deworming contributes greatly to the overall wellbeing of the body. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 870 million children face the risk of parasitic worm infection.

Taking contaminated food or water, improper handwashing, poor hygiene, eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, or contact with an affected surface or animal can cause worm infection.

Symptoms of worm infection include abdominal pain of tenderness, fever, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, redness or rash on the buttocks, fatigue, frequent urinating, weight loss, and tiredness.

Others are weakness, dehydration, blood in the stool, and other symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to anemia, malabsorption (where the worms absorbed nutrients meant for the body), malnourishment, poor mental and physical development, and a severe threat to health, education, and productivity of children.

Infected children are often too ill or tired to attend school or focus in class, and the worm can form cysts in the liver and lungs, resulting in pneumonia and other neurological diseases.

It is advised that adults deworm at least once a year and children should deworm every 4 to 6 months.

Deworming is important because it improves your immunity and also helps to prevent chronic diseases caused by worms.

It also boosts nutrition and controls infection. Precautionary measures should be strictly adhered to when deworming; practice personal hygiene and take your prescribed dose.

It is equally important that you consult your doctor or gastroenterologist if you are on any medication, have any disease like liver problem, pregnant, or breastfeeding a baby before deworming. From cwm