Indiachildren - WORM INFESTATION IN CHILDREN

WORM INFESTATION IN CHILDREN

Worm infestation in children is very commonly seen in India. The common worm infestations are Threadworm, Round Worm and Hookworm. The child suffering from worms usually presents with the following symptoms.

Symptoms of worm infestation

a.	The child complains of a stomach pain off and on after eating his food.
b.	Lack of appetite and poor digestion.
c.	Child looks weak and sick and anaemic.
d.	Sometimes a larger bunch of worms may block the intestinal tract and cause total constipation, abdominal distension and vomitting.
e.	Itching round the anal region.

Diagnosis of worm infestation

The presence of infestation is diagnosed by the detection of ova (the egg of the parasite) in the stools. To avoid missing the diagnosis of worm infestation the stool samples of the child should be examined on three consecutive days.

Treatment

a.	Worm infestation is a mild disease and can be quickly and well treated with modern drugs which are freely available in the market.
b.	It is very important to treat the child and all family members, including servants at the same time, to prevent chances of re-infection because any member of the family can be a carrier and a constant source of infection.

Preventive Methods

a.	Wash thoroughly carrots, radishes, onion and salad leaves or any food eaten raw. This is necessary because the soil in the fields may be contaminated with the ova of the round worm.
b.	Drinking water should be filtered and boiled. Care should be taken that prepared food and drinking water do not get contaminated through unhygienic handling by a person carrying ova in the finger-nails.
c.	Child should be cleaned properly after passing the stool, and his faeces disposed off properly.
d.	Washing of the hands after passing stool and before eating is mandatory.
e.	Nails should be kept short and clean, as the nails are places where the ova of the worms usually reside.
f.	In case of threadworm infection, where anal itching is present, it is advisable to apply a suitable cream.
g.	The underclothes should be changed daily and bed linen kept clean.
h.	Avoid playing barefoot in the fields where the soil may be contaminated with the ova of the hookworm. The ova of hookworm enter through the foot and enter the blood stream and grow into adult worms.
i.	Regular deworming done helps in preventing infestation.