Do you have worms in your stomach? Let's learn everything about roundworms!

Have you ever felt a strange, uncomfortable feeling in your stomach? Or have you noticed that your little one is constantly scratching his body, especially his backside at night? Although we often think that these are normal things, sometimes the reason behind this could be 'roundworms' that have secretly entered our body. Don't worry, this is a very common condition. Let's talk about everything in simple terms today.

What are these roundworms?

Simply put, roundworms are a type of small parasitic organism that can live in our intestines. A parasite is someone who lives inside the body (or on the skin) of another organism and gets its nutrition from that organism. It's like someone who just comes into a house uninvited and lives off the food and drink available at home. These roundworms need a human or animal body to live, lay eggs, and reproduce.

These worms can exist in various sizes. Their eggs or larvae (newly hatched worms) can be found in dirty soil, dirty water, or feces.

How do these worms enter our bodies?

The way these worms enter our bodies varies depending on their species. But the majority enter through the mouth . Think of it this way.

• Dirty hands: If you play with dirt, go to the toilet, or touch a surface that has worm eggs, and then eat without washing your hands thoroughly with soap , the eggs can enter your body directly through your mouth. This is very common among young children.
• Unclean food: Eating raw vegetables and fruits that have been grown in soil containing worm eggs without washing them thoroughly.
• Dirty water: By drinking water contaminated with worm eggs.
• Undercooked meat: Some types of worms (for example, Trichinellosis) can be transmitted by eating undercooked pork, beef, or game meat.
• Through the skin: Some worms, for example hookworms, can penetrate the skin of the feet and enter the body when walking barefoot on dirty soil.

No matter how they enter, these worms often end up in our intestines. That's where they grow up, lay eggs, and cause us various diseases.

Who is most likely to develop these worm diseases?

Anyone can get a roundworm infection, but some people are at a slightly higher risk.

• Young children: Because children are often outdoors, playing with dirt, and don't have a great understanding of cleanliness, they can easily contract these infections.
• People living in unsanitary environments: These diseases are more prevalent in areas without clean drinking water and proper toilet facilities.
• In countries with warm climates: In countries with warm, humid climates like Sri Lanka, the environment is more favorable for these parasites to live and reproduce.
• Pet owners: If their dogs and cats are not dewormed on time, these worm eggs from their feces can enter the environment and infect us.

Types and symptoms of roundworms commonly seen in our country

There are several types of roundworms. The symptoms of each type may vary slightly. Let's look at some of the main types.

Should I see a doctor?

Yes, absolutely. If you or your child has any of these symptoms, it is best to see a doctor for advice rather than taking deworming medication from the pharmacy on your own. Especially in cases like this, seek medical advice immediately.

• If you see a worm or part of a worm in your stool .
• If you have stomach ache or diarrhea that lasts more than two weeks.
• If you lose weight for no reason.
• If there is severe, persistent itching around the anus.
• If you have extreme fatigue and paleness (signs of anemia).

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and, if necessary, order a stool test . This involves taking a sample of your stool and examining it under a microscope to see if there are any worm eggs. Sometimes, they may also order a blood test.

What are the treatments for this?

There is no reason to be afraid. Treating roundworm infections is very simple.

Your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate anthelmintic medication, such as `Albendazole` or `Mebendazole`. These medications kill the worms in your body or stop them from growing. The worms are then passed out of your body in your stool.

If you have a pinworm infection, it is very important that everyone in the household takes the medication at the same time , as it can easily spread among family members.

What should we do to protect ourselves from worm diseases?

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent it.

1. Maintain maximum personal hygiene.

• Wash your hands often: Before eating, before preparing food, after using the toilet, after touching the ground, and after touching pets . Teach this to your children as well.
• Trim your nails: Long nails are more likely to harbor worm eggs.
• Avoid scratching your backside: If your child does this, keep an eye on it. Wearing cotton socks at night to sleep can help prevent sleep scratching.

2. Food and drinking water security

• Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly: Wash things like lettuce, carrots, and cucumbers that are eaten raw, especially well with clean water.
• Cook meat and fish thoroughly: Cook until the meat is cooked through, not pink inside.
• Always drink boiled water.

3. Environment and pets

• Wear shoes: Do not walk barefoot, especially in areas with dirt or mud.
• Deworm your pets on time: Ask your veterinarian and deworm your dog or cat according to the prescribed schedule.
• Remove animal waste immediately: If animals defecate in the yard or garden, remove them safely and immediately. Prevent animals from defecating in areas where children play.

Roundworms, Worms, Stomach worms, Deworming, Pinworm, Children's worms