Myriad signs of worms that are often overlooked & bull; hello healthy

The problem of worms in the stomach should not be taken lightly. Worms can cause serious health problems. This condition does not only occur in young children, but also in adults. Come on, get to know more about the causes of worms, a sign that is often ignored, and how to deal with it below.

Various types and signs of worms

Diseases caused by worms are of various types. The following is an explanation of the types and signs and symptoms of a worm infection.

Roundworms

Ascariasis is a type of worms caused by roundworms. This disease likes to be ignored because there are no signs or symptoms that some people with ascariasis show. The signs of a person experiencing ascariasis are:

Stomach pain, from mild to severe
Fever
Gag
Cough

If left untreated, severe infection from roundworms can cause the digestive tract to become blocked and the child's growth is stunted.

Hookworm

Hookworm is a parasitic worm that causes infection hookworm. People who have hookworm infections can experience:

Itching and rash on the skin that occurs when hookworms enter the body through the skin
Stomach ache
Diarrhea
Fever

Infection hookworm can also cause skin to become pale. Then, when young hookworms make their way through the skin and into the small intestine, they can live there for 1 year or more. Parasites that live in the small intestine can cause protein deficiency problems, iron deficiency anemia, and fatigue.

Whipworms

Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms are the three types of worm infections in the intestines. A person infected with this parasite may show signs and symptoms:

Bloody bowel movements
Diarrhea
Stomach ache

In severe cases, whipworms can trigger rectal prolapse. Meanwhile, children who have severe whipworm infections have the risk of stunted growth and even cognitive development disorders.

Pinworms

Pinworm infection is the most common worm infection. Signs of someone having a pinworm infection are:

Itching in the anal area
Behavior changes, such as irritability
Decreased appetite

Tapeworm

Tapeworm infection occurs due to consuming dishes or drinks that are contaminated by larvae or eggs from tapeworms. Tapeworms can infect the digestive tract and surrounding body tissues outside the digestive tract. A number of things that may happen from this type of worms are:

Nausea
Weight loss
Nutritional deficiencies because worms take nutrients from food
Cysts when tapeworms infect body tissues outside the digestive tract

Causes of worms

Worm infection is not just a problem in young children or in developing countries. Parasitic worms can also be a problem in large cities, haunt the intestines of adults, and spread easily within families. Some of the causes of worm infections are:

Contact with an unconscious surface is the site for the worm eggs
Eating something contaminated with worm eggs
Worms enter through the skin when walking barefoot on the ground
Eating undercooked or raw meat that has baby worms in it
Spread by pets, but this happens very rarely

Infection and transmission of worms are easy things to happen. This condition can easily develop in an unclean environment. In addition, there are many ways worms can enter the body. That way, this problem is not just a disease of young children and can spread in the family environment. When a worm infection occurs in one person in the family, all family members in the household are also advised to treat worm infections, not just those with symptoms.

How to treat and prevent intestinal worms

Don't underestimate worm infections. Worm infections make nutrients consumed in vain, anemia, iron and protein deficiency, causing complications that require medical action. To overcome, consumption of worm medicine can help immobilize worms in the digestive system.

According to studies Treatment Options and Considerations for Intestinal Helminthic Infections, one of the drugs that can treat worm infections is a drug containing pyrantel pamoate (pyrantel pamoate). This drug paralyzes the worms from developing continuously.

Then, the next consumption of the drug pyrantel pamoate aims to prevent the infection from reoccurring because of the worms that hatch from eggs that are not destroyed from the first treatment. The drug pyrantel pamoate is a limited over-the-counter drug so it doesn't need a doctor's prescription. Available in various shapes and flavors to protect every member of the family, whether they are young or adults, from worm infections.

In short, let's protect each other from worm infections so as not to interfere with health. Parasites can easily enter the body in an unclean environment. Let's prevent worm infections by:

Wash your hands diligently using soap and clean running water
Wash fruits and vegetables before processing or eating
Educate children about how to maintain cleanliness
Maintain the health of pets

That way, the environment can be free from worms and the dangers of complications that can occur. According to the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), worm medicine can be consumed every 6 months to prevent intestinal worms.