Learn the Causes of Worms and How to Prevent Them – Worm disease can not only be experienced by children, but also by adults. This disease occurs more in people who live in an environment with poor sanitation or do not live a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS).
Worms can sometimes cause no symptoms at all. Although symptomatic, this disease usually causes complaints that are not typical and can be similar to other diseases.
In general, the symptoms of worms are in the form of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If not treated properly, worm disease can cause more severe health disorders, such as anemia .
Identifying the Causes of Worms in the Body
Poor hygiene or a dirty environment is still one of the main causes of worms, especially in areas with poor sanitation . However, the cause of worms can vary from person to person, depending on what type of worm enters the body.
Here are some of the most common types of worms that cause helminths in humans:
1. Tapeworms
Tapeworms or Cestodas can be recognized from their shape that looks like a ribbon, which is flat with segments all over their body. The length of an adult tapeworm can reach 25 meters and can live for 30 years.
Tapeworms enter the human body when hands come into contact with feces or soil containing worm eggs, which are then carried into the mouth while eating.
In addition, tapeworms can also enter through the consumption of food or drinks that have been contaminated with worm eggs. Consumption of raw or undercooked pork, beef, or fish can also cause tapeworms to enter the human body.
2. Worm t threshold
Adult hookworms with a length of around 5-13 millimeters and hookworm larvae (newly hatched hookworms) can penetrate the skin, for example through the soles of the feet that do not use pads, then enter the blood circulation and are carried into the lungs and throat.
Meanwhile, if swallowed, the hookworm will enter the digestive tract and live in the small intestine.
Hookworms can enter the body through physical contact, ie when a person touches or steps on soil containing larvae and adult hookworms. In addition, hookworm infection can also occur through food or drink that has been contaminated with the eggs and larvae of these worms.
Hookworm infection still often occurs in areas with tropical and humid climates with poor environmental sanitation, including Indonesia. Not only humans, hookworm infection can also be experienced by animals, such as dogs and cats.
3. Worm k remi
Tapeworms are white and delicate, about 5–13 millimeters long. Pinworm infection is most experienced by school age children .
Pinworm infection generally occurs when a person consumes food or drink contaminated with the parasite. In addition, the transmission of pinworms can also be through dirty hands that are rarely washed.
Pinworm eggs then enter the intestine and develop into adult worms in a few weeks. If the egg reaches the anus and is scratched, the egg can transfer to the finger, which unknowingly touches the surface of another object or person.
4. Ringworm
Ringworms are quite large, with a length of around 10–35 cm. Ringworms can enter the human body through soil that has been contaminated with the eggs of these worms.
When entering the body, the egg will hatch in the intestine, then spread through the blood vessels or lymphatic channels to other body organs, such as the lungs or bile.
To overcome the worm infection, the doctor will probably give worm medicine not only to the sufferer, but also to all family members in order to prevent repeated infections. Medicines commonly prescribed can be mebendazole , ivermectin , albendazole , or praziquantel .
If the patient is anemic, the doctor may also prescribe iron supplements. To overcome a large worm infection, such as roundworms, or worms that block the bile duct or appendix, the doctor may need to perform an operation.
Tips to Prevent Worm Diseases
There are several things you can do to prevent worm infection, among others:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after defecating, changing the baby’s diaper, before cooking, and before eating.
- Store raw meat and fish well, then cook until done.
- Wash fruits and vegetables properly before consumption.
- Deworm pets, such as cats and dogs, regularly.
- Give worm medicine for children
- Avoid walking barefoot and touching the ground or sand without gloves.
- Trim nails regularly and avoid biting
Meanwhile, if you get a worm infection, there are several things you can do to speed up healing and avoid the spread of worm eggs, among others:
- Wash the anus in the morning to reduce the number of worm eggs, because worms usually lay eggs at night.
- Change underwear and sheets every day while infected.
- Wash sleepwear, sheets, underwear, and towels in hot water to kill worm eggs.
- Avoid scratching the area around the itchy anus.
Worm disease should not be taken lightly. If you or a family member experiences symptoms of worm disease, consult a doctor to find out the right way to handle it.
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