Table of contents:
- Myths and facts about worms
- Worms are not dangerous
- Long nails trigger worms
- Eating grated coconut will invite parasites into the intestines
- A distended stomach is a sign of worm infection
- Worms is only a child problem
- Worm infections are not contagious
- Let's protect each other from worms
Worm infection is often considered trivial because of the many myths that circulate about this problem. In fact, worms should not be considered a minor problem for several reasons. Check out the myths and facts about worms and how to protect each other from worms here.
Myths and facts about worms
Worm infection is a disease caused by parasitic worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, and others. These worms can live in the intestines. Come on, check the facts about worms to break the myths that often circulate about this condition.
Worms are not dangerous
Worms are not dangerous is a myth that must be broken from the beginning. Worm infections are actually dangerous if left unchecked. One of the conclusions of the study entitled Parasitic Colitis is a worm infection of the digestive tract that can inhibit a person's physical and cognitive development, incl stunting .
Worms inhibit physical development by absorbing a number of the nutrients you eat. One example is that worms use vitamin A to survive. So, the nutrients from the food eaten may be partially absorbed by these parasites. Parasites in the intestinal system can also cause anemia.
Then, children with worms also have the power to concentrate that is easily distracted. As a result, a number of children with intestinal worms are unable to absorb information properly.
Long nails trigger worms
There are things that must be clarified from this myth. The length of the nails can be a medium for someone to experience worms. One of the causes of worms is contact between the hands and a surface where the worm eggs are not aware.
Worm eggs can unknowingly stick to long or short nails. For example, when a child scratches a body part contaminated by worm eggs. So, the fact about worms that must be kept in mind is that any length of nails can trigger worms if there are worm eggs that settle there.
Eating grated coconut will invite parasites into the intestines
Is it true that eating grated coconut will cause worms? Yes, if worm eggs or small worms are found in grated coconut. If there are no worm eggs contaminating it, eating grated coconut alone will not make a person suffer from intestinal worms.
Remember, any dish can invite worms into the intestines if they have been contaminated with worm eggs. Salmon at your favorite Japanese food stalls may be contaminated by baby worms. Likewise with undercooked beef steak that likes to be eaten in restaurants, as reported by the National Health Security (NHS).
A distended stomach is a sign of worm infection
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), signs of worms are non-specific, such as:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Stomach ache
- Decreased appetite
Signs of worms that look real and specific, such as a distended stomach, can be a sign that the infection has progressed to a serious one. So, yes, a distended stomach is a fact about worms. However, it should be borne in mind that this infection may best be evaluated by a doctor immediately so that it does not develop into complications.
Worms is only a child problem
The worm infection problem can strike indiscriminately, be it a child or an adult. That way, it is not true that worms only bother small children.
In fact, when someone at home has worm problems, all family members in the same house are advised to take deworming medicine. Regardless of their age and showing symptoms or not, every family member is advised to take deworming medicine to prevent worm infections from recurring in the family.
Worm infections are not contagious
The fact about worms is that worm infections can be transmitted anywhere. Transmission occurs in an unclean environment, regardless of the environment where people with high or low income are located.
For example, an adult touches a surface contaminated with worm eggs with his hands and is followed by eating using contaminated hands without washing the hands first.
In addition, pinworm eggs can easily stick to surfaces in your home. Call it children's toys, door handles, clothes, and beds.
When young children with the habit of biting their nails touch a contaminated surface and then return to their habit, transmission can occur. With that, non-communicable worm infection is just a myth.
Let's protect each other from worms
Come on, protect each other from the dangers of worm infection by maintaining cleanliness. Don't forget to wash your hands before eating and teach your children how to maintain cleanliness. Eradicate worms in the body by consuming worm medicine that contains Pyrantel Pamoate .
This limited free drug for worm infections can be consumed by children and adults with a wide choice of flavors and shapes (tablets and liquids) to suit their tastes. If you live in an environment with a high level of worms, take deworming twice a year to reduce the risk of worms, as recommended by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.