Worms are diseases caused by parasites, which are microorganisms capable of entering the body and causing disease in both children and adults, resulting in symptoms such as constant abdominal pain, a feeling of bloated belly and altered appetite, for example.
Giardiasis, enterobiosis and hookworm are some of the most common worms and to avoid them it is important to always wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom, in addition to drinking filtered water and avoiding walking barefoot. In this way it is possible not only to prevent worms, but also diseases caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria, for example.
How to prevent
Parasites can enter the body in a number of ways: by eating contaminated food or water, raw or undercooked food, skin and mosquito bites, for example. Thus, to prevent parasites from entering the body it is important to:
- Wash your hands after using the bathroom and keep it in proper hygienic conditions, as parasites' eggs are usually found in feces - see how to wash your hands properly; Avoid walking barefoot, as some parasites, such as the hookworm, for example, which causes yellowing, enter the body through the skin; Cut and keep the nails clean, to avoid the accumulation of dirt and possible parasite eggs; Drink filtered, boiled or disinfected water with sodium hypochlorite, to eliminate possible contaminants; Wash and cook food well, as they may be contaminated; Wash your hands before meals, to eliminate any microorganism that can cause disease; Wash household items with drinking water, as this water is treated and free of contaminants.
Any prophylactic and treatment measures for worms must be repeated by all members of the family. In addition, it is important to check the sanitary conditions of the inhabited place, as poor sanitary conditions can increase the chances of having worms.
Main worms
The most frequent worms are:
- Hookworm, popularly known as yellowing, is caused by the penetration of the parasites Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus , causing symptoms such as redness and conception in the region of entry, weight loss and anemia; Oxyuriasis, or enterobiosis, which is caused by the parasite Enterobius vermicularis , whose transmission occurs mainly by contact with feces or consumption of food contaminated with the parasite's eggs, causing extreme itching in the anus; Teniasis, also known as solitary, is a verminosis usually caused by the consumption of beef or pork contaminated with eggs of Taenia sp .; Trichuriasis, which is caused by infection by the parasite Trichuris trichiura through contaminated water or food. Understand what is trichuriasis and how to treat it; Ascariasis or roundworm, which is caused by Ascaris lumbricoides and whose main symptoms are abdominal discomfort, difficulty defecating and nausea; Giardiasis, which is caused by eating food or water contaminated by cysts of the parasite Giardia lamblia. Find out what are the main symptoms of giardiasis; Filariasis, popularly known as elephantiasis, is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti whose transmission occurs through the bite of the Culex sp . Understand what elephantiasis is and how to prevent it.
The treatment of worms is done according to the parasite and must be done according to the medical recommendation. In addition, it is important to adopt preventive measures to minimize the chances of acquiring worms.
