Deworming

Intestinal worms differ from each other in terms of life cycles, transmission and the symptoms they cause after infestation.

Roundworms are simple multicellular parasites with their own digestive system.

Transmission (spread by):

Ingestion (by mouth) – through eating food or drinking water

Specific symptoms:

Mild symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, weight loss and diarrhoea. If present in the lung then fever, wheezing and coughing can occur.

Transmission:

Ingestion (by mouth) via food or water

Specific symptoms:

Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite. With a heavy infestation, bleeding from the intestines, severe abdominal cramps, anaemia, appendicitis and rectal prolapse may occur.

Transmission:

Through the skin

Specific symptoms:

Rash and itching at the site of entry.

Heavy infections can cause stomach pain, anaemia, weight loss, as well as poor growth and mental retardation in children.

Transmission:

Through the skin

Specific symptoms:

Some people may not show any symptoms. They can have itching and rashes on buttocks or waist area, abdominal pain, diarrhoea alternating with constipation, nausea, vomiting, coughing blood-stained mucus.

Transmission:

Ingestion from environment

Specific symptoms:

Itching around the anus, irritability, restlessness, sleeplessness, weight loss and poor appetite, nail-biting and grinding of teeth. Vaginal itching and irritation may occur in girls.

These are simple parasites without any circulatory or respiratory system. They feed off the blood and tissue of it’s host (people or animals) to survive.^2,6

Transmission:

Skin

Specific symptoms:

Usually cause no or mild symptoms but can cause severe infection with stomach pain, diarrhoea and fever.

*Not all deworming medicines are indicated to treat trematodes/flukes.

Transmission:

Ingestion – meat

Specific symptoms:

Can often have no symptoms. People may have stomach pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, weakness, and nausea.

To prevent intestinal worms, strict hygiene practices are needed, as well as regular deworming.^1,2

Hand washing

• Wash hands before and after using the toilet.
• Wash hands before cooking or handling food, as well as before eating meals.

The spread of parasitic (worm) infections can occur directly or indirectly through objects contaminated with faeces, including food, water, fingers and fingernails. Handwashing is important to stop the spread of faecal-oral human-to-human transmission.¹⁰

Safe food practices

• Thoroughly cook all types of meat before consumption.
• Never eat undercooked or raw meats.
• Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables.
• Thoroughly wash and peel fruit or vegetables.
• Only use clean water.

Skin protection

• Avoid swimming in sources of unclean water.
• Avoid walking barefoot in sandy areas where contamination with faecal matter is possible.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends annual deworming in areas where the prevalence of infections is 20 % or more, and twice yearly deworming in areas where prevalence is over 50 %.

In South Africa, it is recommended that all members of the family get dewormed twice a year.

Portia has a 4-year-old daughter, Lebogang, who has been suffering from nausea and abdominal (stomach) cramps. Lebogang is complaining of stomach pains and an itchy rash and she also tends to scratch her waist and bum. Lebogang loves playing in the sandbox at school and has trouble with alternating constipation and diarrhoea. Thabo, her 10-year old son, has a rash on his waist and started scratching his buttocks.

Is it worms?

Threadworm infestation is likely due to the children’s age, the presence of a transmission medium (sandbox) at school, close contact between family members, stomach pain and cramps, bum itching and scratching as well as alternating diarrhoea and constipation.

Always consult your pharmacist or doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.

What can you do about it?

Your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe or dispense deworming treatment over-the-counter.

Vermox® is a type of over-the-counter deworming medicine that can be used for children over the age of 1 year and adults. It treats most types of intestinal worms infestations and is available in different formulations for either 3-day treatments or single dose treatments.