Everything One Needs To Know About Deworming

Intestinal infections are common in kids. According to the WHO, in India alone, a staggering 241 million children in the age group of 1-14 years are susceptible to STH (Soil Transmitted Helminths) or parasitic intestinal worms. The helminths that infect people are mainly of three types: hookworms (ancylostoma duodenale and necator americanus), roundworm (ascaris lumbricoides), and whipworm (trichuris trichiura). The parasitic worms thrive within the human intestine and derive their nutrition from them. They feed on the nutrients the child takes in therefore depriving your baby of the essential nutrients for their growth and development.

One should remember that kids, as well as adults, are prone to infection by the parasitic intestinal worms.

Mode of infection:

• Eating unwashed and half cooked fruits, vegetables, meat and cereals infected with the worm’s eggs.
• Not washing hands after playing, before having a meal and after defecation.
• Walking barefoot or coming in close contact with the infected soil.
• Infected pets and stray animals are potential carriers of the parasitic worms and worm eggs.

Signs and symptoms:

One needs to be a little alert. Early detection can help to treat the infection better.

The signs and symptoms include:

• Weakness and pain in the abdomen
• Fever, irritability, and loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbances
• Wheezing and coughing

The symptoms at a more severe stage include:

• Excruciating abdominal pain
• Diarrhea, dysentery, and extreme fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Weight loss in case of infection caused by a tapeworm, while hookworm infestation results in anemia
• In extreme cases, the infection may result in malnutrition

Deworming

Parasitic worms live and multiply within the intestine. They lay hundreds of eggs and deworming is an important tool against the infections. It helps to get rid of matured and adult worms. The worm eggs, however, continue to thrive inside the body (intestine). An effective treatment is one that helps to get rid of the infection completely (the adult worms as well as the worm eggs). Thus, for better results, it is important to repeat the treatment every six months. As a positive initiative, 10th February has been declared as National Deworming Day by the Government of India. Nationwide campaigns are organized (especially in rural areas) to create awareness.

The medicines used in deworming include:

• Albendazole (400mg): This is a powerful medication against intestinal worms. It successfully eliminates the existing worms from the intestine, ensuring that there is no further growth and multiplication of the worms.

For better results, the tablet should be taken twice a year (repeated every six months).

The medicine, unfortunately, is not effective against tapeworm.

Dosage:

1/2 tablet of Albendazole (400mg) for children between 1-2 years. For children above the age of 2 years, the dosage is 1 Albendazole (400mg) tablet.

For malnourished kids (7 months – 5 years), Vitamin A capsules are given (1 in every six months) in addition to Albendazole tablets.

• Mebendazole: The chewable tablet is effective against hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and pinworm infestation.

Dosage: A tablet of Mebendazole is 500mg, irrespective of the age-group.

• Niclosamide: The medication is helpful against tapeworm infestation. Praziquantel is equally effective against tapeworm infestation.

Dosage: The dosage is as per the kid’s weight or age (single dose).

• Pyrantel pamoate: The medicine is used to treat roundworm and pinworm infestation.

Dosage: The dosage is as per the weight of the kid (one-time dosage).

The side-effects of deworming (rarely experienced) include:

Dizziness, headache, vomiting, and nausea.

Alternately, natural remedies can also aid in deworming.

• Garlic relief: Garlic goes a long way in treating intestinal infections. For maximum results, consume crushed or grated raw garlic cloves daily.

• The papaya magic: Like garlic, papaya is effective against intestinal worms. Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, is the main wrecker-in-chief that helps eliminate intestinal worms.

On an empty stomach, have a glass of freshly extracted papaya juice mixed with a teaspoon of organic honey in the morning.

• The pineapple relief: Bromelain, an enzyme present in pineapple, works wonders in case of tapeworm infestation.

• Pomegranate to the rescue: Pomegranate peel has an anthelmintic property that makes it very effective against parasitic intestinal worms. Dry and pound the pomegranate peel into a fine powder. For effective results, in a glass full of water, add approximately 3gms of the powder. Mix it well and drink.

• Pumpkin seeds also provide great relief from intestinal infection.

If the symptoms persist or health deteriorates, consult a physician at the earliest.

Advantages

The benefits of deworming are immense:

• It improves the overall health and well-being of the child.
• Anemia can be successfully treated using deworming.
• It enhances the mental development of the child.

It improves resistance against many other infections.