How Often Should You Deworm?

Worms are parasites that depend on the human intestines for both nutrition and survival. The worms induce poor nutrition, blood loss, and stunted growth by consuming resources intended for the human body. In some of the world's poorest regions, intestinal worm infections affect more than 2 billion people.

Hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm have been around for a long time. The infection spreads when they lay eggs in human feces that contaminate the soil, a major problem that is common in impoverished communities with poor sanitation. Eggs from this contaminated soil that is found on unwashed vegetables, water sources, or unwashed hands enter the body, causing an intestinal parasite infection.

Infected people experience intestinal blood loss due to the worms, which results in iron deficiency and malnutrition, as well as a lack of energy and motivation.

Parasites can live for years in the intestines without causing any symptoms. When they do, the following symptoms occur:

Hookworm infection

Most children with hookworm infections exhibit no symptoms at all.

• However, because of bleeding from the gut wall where the worm is attached and especially when the infection is chronic, it can result in:
  • Iron shortage and anemia
  • Mild diarrhea and stomach cramps
  • An itchy, red skin rash on the feet where the larvae entered the body
• Rarely, when the larvae are moving through the lungs, the lungs become inflamed and cause cough, wheeze, and fever. 
• A decrease in appetite and weight loss may develop several weeks following exposure to this hookworm. 
• Poor nutrition can be brought on by ongoing infections. 

Roundworm infection

If you have ascariasis (a roundworm infection of the intestines), you might not have any symptoms. However, live worms may be seen in your feces.

If you do experience symptoms, they might include:

• Cough
• Sleep disturbance
• Fever
• Restlessness
• Severe stomach and abdominal aches
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Malnutrition

Tapeworm infection

Many people who have an intestinal tapeworm infection don't exhibit any symptoms. Your symptoms, if any, will depend on the type and location of the tapeworm. Depending on where the larvae have moved, invasive tapeworm infection symptoms can change.

Intestinal infection symptoms

• Nausea and weakness
• Reduced appetite
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Craving for salt
• Loss of weight and insufficient food nutrient absorption

Invasive infection symptoms

In the long run, tapeworm larvae that have left your intestines and developed cysts in other tissues may harm your organs and tissues, leading to:

• Headache
• Lumps or tumors with cysts
• Intolerances to the larvae
• Signs and symptoms of the nervous system, such as seizures

By practicing better hygiene, you can stop the spread of worm illnesses.

A few examples include:

• Washing your hands, especially before and after using the restroom
• Using hygienic restrooms
• Consuming hygienic water
• Consuming well-prepared food
• Washing fruits, vegetables, and salads in sanitary water
• Keeping fingernails trimmed and clean
• Wearing slippers

According to the WHO, these anti-worm medications (often albendazole or mebendazole) allow school-age children to "earn their way out of poverty" due to the significant effects they have on cognitive and intellectual development. 

The most widely used deworming medication is called albendazole, and it is a secure method of treating intestinal worms that are used all over the world.

• Children aged between one and two years should take half a tablet (200 mg), and those aged between 2 and 19 years should take one tablet (400 mg).
• Break and smash the tablets first before giving them (with water) to small children.