Could worms be living in your little boy or girl?
It is a gross thought, for sure, but one that cannot be dismissed. Per a report from the Department of Health (DOH), an alarming 9 out of 10 children in the Philippines have intestinal worms, a condition that impacts all aspects of their health.
From itchiness to asthma-like symptoms
“If the infection is very mild, they can have no symptoms,” says Reinalyn San Andres-Tiangha, MD, a Pediatrician from Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Children with pinworms can experience anal itchiness, especially at night. This can interfere with their sleep and give them a swollen, irritated anus.
Children who have roundworms present with abdominal pain and loss of appetite. If the worms reach their lungs, they can experience coughing, wheezing, and asthma-like symptoms.”
Other signs of a worm infection are bloating, diarrhea or constipation, and vomiting. See any tiny particles that look like white rice on your child’s stool? Those are worms.
Intestinal worms thrive by consuming their host’s blood and nutrients, so children with a worm infection become anemic and malnourished, which explains their stunted growth and weight loss. Robbed of nutrients, they become physically and mentally lethargic, making it a challenge to get them through a day.
How do parasites get into our body in the first place? “Worms live in soil, and when kids play outdoors and put their dirty hands in their mouth, a worm can make its way into their intestines and lay eggs,” says Dr. Tiangha. “Contaminated water, raw fruits and vegetables, and meat that is not cooked well are other ways to get worms.”
Even the old wives’ tale is true. “Another point of entry of worms is through the feet, so we are at risk when we walk barefoot,” she says. The baby worms of hookworms can penetrate the skin of our feet or between our toes when we step on moist ground or feces contaminated with worm larvae.
National Deworming Months
Deworming twice a year and whether your child shows symptoms or not is still the most effective way to rid the body of parasites. In the Philippines, the National Deworming Months are January and July.
Dr. Tiangha recommends deworming for children aged one (1) year old and up, as well as pre-school (three (3) to five (5) years old) and school-aged children (6 to 12 years old). “Those aged 12 to 23 months are given 200 mg of albendazole, while those aged 24 months and up take 400 mg of albendazole.”
Deworming, notes the doctor, is not exclusively for kids. Women of reproductive age can benefit from the treatment, as well. “When they are pregnant and they have a worm infection, their baby has ‘competition’ when it comes to taking in their mother’s nutrients,” she says.
Available in tablet form and oral suspension, albendazole is an anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) drug that works by preventing worms from absorbing sugar (glucose). This deprives them of energy, which leads to their death. Mebendazole, another anthelmintic, is given as a single 500 mg dose to those aged 12 months and above.
Side effects from these medications are rare, assures Dr. Tiangha. “In all my years of practice, I have not seen any side effects from anthelmintic drugs. What they usually feel is a headache, and nausea. But they are manageable with rest and hydration.”
With simple practices, no one has to go through the discomfort and health risks associated with intestinal worms.
“Wash your hands before and after you eat, and before and after you use the toilet,” says Dr. Tiangha. “If you are unsure about the cleanliness of potable water, boil it for one (1) to three (3) minutes before drinking. Cook meat well before eating and wash fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly before you consume them. And wear slippers or shoes outdoors.”
Article based on Rise and Shine Pilipinas’ SAY ni DOK guesting of Reinalyn San Andres-Tiangha, MD last July 10, 2023.
Click here for the complete list of MakatiMed Pediatricians.
