Let's learn more about stomach worms (Roundworms)

Does your little one often complain that he wakes up at night and scratches his bottom? Or, is he eating well but still not looking good? Does he sometimes complain about stomach problems? Today we are going to talk about a silent enemy that can be behind all these things. That is roundworms, or as we usually call them, intestinal worms. Although this may sound a little scary, if you are aware of it, it is very easy to avoid and treat.

What exactly are these roundworms?

Simply put, roundworms are tiny creatures that can live inside our intestines. Strictly speaking, they are parasites . A parasite is something that needs the body of another organism (in this case, our body) to survive. These worms can live inside our bodies for a while, lay eggs, and reproduce.

These worms are called "roundworms" because their bodies are elongated, round, and have a variable size depending on the species. The eggs or larvae (newly hatched worms) of these worms live mostly in dirty soil or feces.

How do these parasitic diseases enter our bodies?

The way these worms enter our bodies varies depending on their species, but the majority enter through the mouth .

Imagine, what happens if you play in the dirt, go to the toilet, or touch a pet and eat without washing your hands thoroughly with soap ? At that time, worm eggs, which are invisible to our eyes, can get on your hands and enter your body with food. This is what we call the fecal-oral route .

In addition,

• Eating improperly washed vegetables and fruits contaminated with worm eggs.
• Eating undercooked meat (especially pork).
• The larvae of some worms (for example, hookworms) can penetrate our skin and enter our bodies directly. This is especially dangerous when walking barefoot in areas with dirty soil.

Can our pets catch these worms?

Yes, it definitely is. If your dog or cat has a roundworm infection, the eggs in their feces can infect us. Therefore, it is very important to deworm your pet on time and properly dispose of their feces, not just in the garden.

Main types of roundworms and symptoms

There are several types of roundworms. The symptoms of each type are slightly different. Let's look at some of the types that are commonly seen in Sri Lanka. I have put this information in a table like this to make it easier to understand.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have even the slightest suspicion that you or someone in your family has worms, it's best to see a doctor. Especially if you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If you see a worm or part of a worm in your stool.
• If you have stomach pain, diarrhea, or other intestinal discomfort that lasts more than two weeks.
• If you lose weight for no reason.
• Especially if a child is constantly talking about itching around the anus.
• If you feel pale and tired even after eating well (signs of anemia).

How exactly does the doctor find this?

When you go to the doctor, he or she will ask you about your symptoms and your lifestyle (for example, recent travel, what you eat, etc.). Then, they may order tests like these to confirm the diagnosis.

• Stool Test: This is the most important test. You will be asked to put a small amount of stool into a clean container. The laboratory will examine it under a microscope to see if there are any worm eggs.
• Blood Test: This can help identify certain types of worm infections and check for complications such as anemia.

What are the treatments?

There is nothing to worry about. Most roundworm infections are very simple to treat.

Your doctor will prescribe you an anthelmintic medication like Albendazole . This medication stops the growth of the worms. The worms then pass out of your body in your stool. You may not even notice it.

In addition, iron supplements may be prescribed if there is anemia and a cream may be prescribed if there is itching.

What should we do to protect ourselves from worm diseases?

Prevention is always better than cure. So, if we follow these simple habits, we can protect ourselves from worm diseases to a great extent.

1. Personal hygiene is very important.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water: Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating, before preparing food, after using the bathroom, after touching the ground, and after touching pets. This is the most important thing.
• Keep your nails short and clean: Long nails are more likely to harbor worm eggs.
• Teach children not to eat dirt.

2. Take care of food and drinking water

• Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before using them: Wash things like lettuce and fruits that are eaten raw, especially under running water.
• Cooking food thoroughly: Cooking foods such as meat and fish thoroughly kills any larvae that may be present in them.
• Using clean drinking water: Always drink boiled or filtered water.

3. Surroundings and pets

• Keeping toilets clean and using them properly.
• Timely deworming of pets: Consult your veterinarian about this.
• Dispose of pet feces safely, without leaving them in the garden.

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