Worms
DEFINITION
The term ‘Worms’ is used to describe the infestation of the
body by various types of Worms including pinworms (also known as
threadworms), roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
body by various types of Worms including pinworms (also known as
threadworms), roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms.
DESCRIPTION
TAPEWORMS
Tapeworms live in the intestines and sometimes grow to quite
amazing lengths. They attach themselves to the inner lining of the
gut. Tapeworms cannot be passed from person to person. Tapeworm
infestation is often asymptomatic (no obvious symptoms).
Undercooked beef or pork are the main foods that can be infested
with the tapeworm. Signs and symptoms of tapeworm infestation
include weight loss, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
amazing lengths. They attach themselves to the inner lining of the
gut. Tapeworms cannot be passed from person to person. Tapeworm
infestation is often asymptomatic (no obvious symptoms).
Undercooked beef or pork are the main foods that can be infested
with the tapeworm. Signs and symptoms of tapeworm infestation
include weight loss, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
PINWORMS (also called threadworms).
The pinworm is the most common parasite infecting children in
temperate climates (e.g. New Zealand and Australia). Pinworms are
highly contagious and transfer of eggs occurs from the anal area to
clothing, sheets or toys and then to the mouth of the new host. The
threadworm eggs are swallowed and move down the gut where they
hatch and mature. The female lays thousands of tiny eggs around the
anus. The glue-like substance used to stick the eggs to the anus
produces an irritation. The sufferer may scratch around the anus in
an almost involuntary action. Children may be constantly
reinfecting themselves by transferring eggs from the anal area to
mouth. The eggs of the worms may then lodge under the
nails.
temperate climates (e.g. New Zealand and Australia). Pinworms are
highly contagious and transfer of eggs occurs from the anal area to
clothing, sheets or toys and then to the mouth of the new host. The
threadworm eggs are swallowed and move down the gut where they
hatch and mature. The female lays thousands of tiny eggs around the
anus. The glue-like substance used to stick the eggs to the anus
produces an irritation. The sufferer may scratch around the anus in
an almost involuntary action. Children may be constantly
reinfecting themselves by transferring eggs from the anal area to
mouth. The eggs of the worms may then lodge under the
nails.
ROUNDWORMS
Roundworm is the most common Worm in warm and temperate areas.
Infestation by roundworms tends to occur in areas with poor
sanitation. Early symptoms of infestation occur in the lungs with
fever – adults, cough and wheezing. The Worm then migrates to the
intestines causing cramps and sometimes obstruction. Heavy
infestation in the intestines can lead to malabsorption of
nutrients from foods. Diagnosis is reached by finding eggs in the
stool.
Infestation by roundworms tends to occur in areas with poor
sanitation. Early symptoms of infestation occur in the lungs with
fever – adults, cough and wheezing. The Worm then migrates to the
intestines causing cramps and sometimes obstruction. Heavy
infestation in the intestines can lead to malabsorption of
nutrients from foods. Diagnosis is reached by finding eggs in the
stool.
HOOKWORMS
Hookworm infestation is usually asymptomatic, though sometimes
there may be abdominal pain or iron deficiency anaemia. Infestation
is common in areas of poor sanitation. Eggs are passed in faeces,
hatch in the soil and infect a new host by penetrating the skin.
The larvae reach the lung via blood and lymphatic flow. They then
move up the respiratory tract and are swallowed. They attach to the
walls of the intestines with their mouths and feed on human blood.
Hookworm infestation can cause a considerable amount of pain and
discomfort.
there may be abdominal pain or iron deficiency anaemia. Infestation
is common in areas of poor sanitation. Eggs are passed in faeces,
hatch in the soil and infect a new host by penetrating the skin.
The larvae reach the lung via blood and lymphatic flow. They then
move up the respiratory tract and are swallowed. They attach to the
walls of the intestines with their mouths and feed on human blood.
Hookworm infestation can cause a considerable amount of pain and
discomfort.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions, your Doctor should be consulted to
diagnose and treat this condition. Ask your Doctor about the latest
advice on Worm infestation.
diagnose and treat this condition. Ask your Doctor about the latest
advice on Worm infestation.
Wash hands after using the toilet and after handling infected
children. Scrub fingernails well and discourage children from
biting their nails.
children. Scrub fingernails well and discourage children from
biting their nails.
Wash and iron bed linen, sleepwear, underwear and towels. The
heat of the iron will kill the eggs.
heat of the iron will kill the eggs.
Wipe down door handles and toys with a disinfectant.
DIET HINTS
- The diet for the habitual sufferer of Worms (parasitic
infection) should be low in refined carbohydrates. It is better to
have home-cooked meals and to avoid fast-food outlets that usually
use fat in their cooking. - Include foods rich in the B Group vitamins such as lean pork,
liver, yeast extracts and wholemeal bread and cereals.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Nutritional supplements are only to be taken if the dietary
vitamin intake is inadequate.
vitamin intake is inadequate.
- A multivitamin may help to replace the nutrients lost by worm
infestation that can adversely affect the lining of the gut and
cause diarrhoea. - Hydrochloric acid occurs naturally in the gut and helps to
destroy parasites contained in food. If stomach acidity is low, a
Hydrochloric acid supplement is recommended. - Acidophilus helps to re-establish a healthy bacterial colony in
the bowel. This colony may become unbalanced in cases of
Worms. - An antioxidant multi-vitamin containing vitamins A, C, E, zinc
and grape seed extract may help to boost the immune system. Low
immune function may increase the risk of infestation by Worms.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Follow the Diet Hints.
- Ask your Pharmacist about a suitable Worm tablet. Worms can
usually be eliminated with the correct treatment. Studies suggest
that all family members should be given the worm treatment. This is
to prevent reinfection from another family member. All family
members should be treated at the same time also. The common worming
preparations contain either Mebendazole or Pyrantel Embonate. Most
worming tablets are available in a single dose tablet. - If the diet is inadequate, consider some supplements. Vitamin C
might be suggested to increase the natural immune system.