Every year, February 10 is observed annually as 'National Deworming Day' in every state and union territory across India. The deworming day campaign aims at spreading awareness about health threats due to intestinal worms infecting thousands of children. A serious health hazard, if the problem is left untreated, can take a toll on the health, especially of young children. An initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the awareness campaign also imparts knowledge on the benefits of deworming, prevention strategies, and best practices for good hygiene and sanitation. It also emphasizes about deworming process in schools to reduce the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths, also known as parasitic intestinal worms, to improve overall health, nutritional status, and quality of life of children, thus helping to make every child worm-free.
Also Read: National Deworming Day 2022: A Simple Guide On Intestinal Worms And Their Prevention
As per World Health Organisation statistics, over 26% population across the world (mostly children under 18) is infected with soil-transmitted helminth worms in developing and underdeveloped countries. Three types of worms that infect the population are roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. These worms also called helminths or intestinal parasitic worms are transmitted through soil that is contaminated with fecal matter. The main cause of infection in children is a lack of personal hygiene and eating dirty contaminated, uncooked food. In India, around 190 million children of age groups between 1 and 16 years are at risk of such parasitic intestinal worm infections.
Serious Health Hazards Of Worm Infections
Untreated intestinal worm infection can take a severe toll on a person’s health. The most common issue is the problem of malnutrition as these worms absorb the entire nutrition from the eaten food. Prolonged infection can cause abdominal pain followed by chronic diarrhea. Rectal prolapse and psychological as well as impaired physical growth are also some of its dangerous health hazards.
Also Read: Poor Hygiene, Undercooked Meat May Lead To Tapeworm
How Is Intestinal Worm Infection Cured?
Upon diagnosis, most infections caused by intestinal worms can be cured by antiparasitic medicines. These are deworming medications and are administered orally keeping age factors in consideration.
Side Effects Of Antiparasitic Medicines
Some deworming medicines may interact with other medications. The doctor must know if the child is under medication for neurological issues, kidney disorders, and, liver dysfunction. Pregnant and lactating women should also inform the doctor if they are planning to take antiparasitic medicines. These medicines usually do not trigger any major side effects but in some cases, the following problems can be observed:
- Allergy to the medication causing body rashes
- Headache
- Fever and coughing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen
- Dizziness
- Lethargy
How To Prevent Intestinal Infections?
Every infection by intestinal worms can be easily prevented by maintaining hygiene, cleaning fruits and vegetables and cooking them thoroughly, and washing hands properly with soap and water after handling soil.
Here is a list of a few easy to make effective ayurvedic remedies to treat intestinal worms at home by taking advice from a health practitioner:
- A decoction of Vidanga (false black pepper) with honey or warm water on an empty stomach can kill intestinal worms.
- A concoction of dry ginger, black pepper, and honey also helps to reduce worms
- Tulsi leaf juice with honey in warm water is also helpful to keep stomach worms at bay
- Consuming caraway seeds, black pepper, asafoetida, black salt, garlic, and turmeric is good for stomach cleansing and deworming
- Eat caraway seeds mixed with a pinch of salt on empty stomach for a week to eliminate nasty worms
- A decoction of Nagarmotha (Nut grass), Daruharidra (Indian barberry), and drumstick bark along with Vidanga helps to get rid of intestinal worms
