One thing that mothers often say is, "Oh, doctor, my child has worms, he can't sleep well at night." Or we often hear about school-going children getting head lice, and sometimes having stomach problems like food poisoning. In fact, many of these things can be caused by tiny creatures that we can't see, or can barely see. In medical terms, we call these people parasites. So, in this article, we are talking about the medicines that are given to remove these parasites from our bodies, that is, antiparasitic drugs.
Simply put, who are these parasites?
Imagine someone sneaking into your house, eating your food, and living in your house. That's what parasites do. These are
tiny creatures that live inside our bodies (for example, in the intestines) or outside our bodies (for example, in the skin, hair), and get the nutrition they need from our bodies . Because they live in our bodies in this way, we can develop various diseases.
So what are these antiparasitic drugs?
This is what the name suggests. We call this medicine "antiparasitic," meaning it kills parasites. These medicines work by expelling these unwanted guests from our bodies. These medicines work in three main ways:
- Kills the parasite or its eggs : Some medications directly attack the parasite and destroy it.
- Stops the growth of the parasite: Some other medications stop the growth of the parasite, preventing it from growing and multiplying.
- Paralyzes parasites: Some medications, especially those given to worms, paralyze them. This means they can't stay in our intestines and come out with our feces.
The important thing is that not all parasites are treated with the same medicine. Just as not all doors can be treated with the same key. Your doctor will determine the exact parasite that is infecting you and prescribe the right medicine for it.
What are the main types of parasites that make us sick?
Although there are thousands of species of parasites around the world, there are three main groups that cause disease. This table will give you a good idea of this.
| Parasite type | Where do you live? | Common examples |
|---|
| Ectoparasites | Outside the body (on the skin, in the hair, on clothes) | Lice, ticks, bedbugs, fleas, (scabies) |
| Worms (Helminths) | Often inside the body (intestines, muscles) | Pinworms, Roundworms, Hookworms |
| Protozoa | Inside the body (blood, intestines) | The parasite that causes malaria, Amoeba, Giardia |
How common are these infections?
These parasitic infections are very common among us in Sri Lanka. For example:
- Enterobiasis: This infection, which occurs especially in young children, is characterized by waking up at night and scratching around the anus.
- Roundworm infections: Can be transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and weight loss .
- Trichomoniasis: This is a sexually transmitted infection ( STI ).
- Toxoplasmosis: This infection can be dangerous for the unborn child, especially if it occurs in a pregnant mother.
- Food poisoning: Diarrhea and stomach upset caused by parasites like Giardiasis.
Are there any side effects to this medication?
Yes, like any other medicine, there can be some side effects. But don't worry, most of the time these are not serious. And not everyone gets side effects. But it's important to be aware of them.
Common (often non-serious) side effects Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately
| Type of side effect | Visible features |
|---|
| Stomach discomfort | Stomach ache, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Other common features | Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, headache, fever |
| Skin problems | Itchy skin, rashes, that is, skin irritation |
| Serious symptoms | Abnormal changes in heart rate, changes in vision (blurred vision), mental confusion (seeing things that are not there - hallucinations) |
If you experience any serious side effects like these, stop taking the medication and talk to your doctor immediately . It's also a good idea to tell your doctor about any minor side effects .
What happens if you take too much medicine (overdose)?
This is something that you need to be very careful about.
Never take this medicine in more than the dose prescribed by your doctor or for longer than the prescribed period. Doing so can cause serious health problems.
- Kidney failure
- Vision problems, possibly even blindness
- Damage to the nerves in the limbs
- Hearing impairment and loss of balance
If you accidentally take too much medicine,
go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. You can also call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Who needs to be especially careful when taking this medicine?
It is essential to tell your doctor about your complete health history before using this medication. These people should be especially careful.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should definitely talk to your doctor before taking this medication. Some medications can be harmful to the unborn baby. Your doctor will choose the safest option for you and your baby.
- People with kidney disease: If you have any kidney disease, this medicine may have difficulty getting out of your body. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about it.
- Immunocompromised individuals: People with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as HIV, should be especially careful when taking this medication.
Take-Home Message
- Parasitic infections are very common in Sri Lanka as well as around the world. So don't be ashamed or unnecessarily afraid of them.
- Never take this type of medicine at the pharmacy on your own. Always use this medicine only under the advice of a doctor .
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the exact time prescribed. Don't stop taking the medicine just because you feel better in two days. Finish the entire course.
- If you experience any unusual side effects, inform your doctor immediately.
- Pregnant and nursing mothers, and those taking medication for other illnesses, should tell their doctor about their condition.
Antiparasitic drugs, antiparasitic drugs, worm medicine, pinworms, lice, malaria, infections, Sri Lanka
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