In India, the National Deworming Day is observed twice a year, on 10th February and 10th August, with an aim to eliminate infections like intestinal worms or Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) in children of age 1-14 years. It is one of the most common infections amongst kids, especially those living in rural areas. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 241 million children between 1-14 years of age are at risk of worm infection in India. If timely treatment is not provided, conditions can worsen.
The objective of the National Deworming Day, as stated by the National Health Portal (NHP) of India, is to deworm all preschool and school-age children (enrolled and unenrolled) between the ages of 1-19 years through the platform of schools and Anganwadi Centers in order to improve their overall health, nutritional status, access to education and quality of life.
To understand more about STH and the importance of deworming, we talked to Vijayanand Jamalpuri, MD MRCPCH (UK), Consultant Neonatologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad.
Importance Of Deworming
If deworming is done from time to time in children,
- There will be proper absorption of nutrients for growth in the body
- Child’s attendance and productivity will increase in school
- There will be a decrease in the spread of chronic worm infestations in the community
- It lessens the chances of anemia and abdominal illnesses
- It makes the child active and efficient
How Does STH Spread?
Dr. Vijayanand explains that the soil-transmitted helminth or parasitic worms usually spread through the consumption of contaminated food or contaminated hands. The commonest types of worms are roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. When an infected person defecates in open, the eggs of the adult worms are passed through their feces into the soil. The contaminated soil then spreads the infection in several ways, such as not washing fruits and vegetables before eating or eating them raw, not washing hands before eating, not washing hands after using toilets, consuming contaminated water, etc.
What Do The Worms Do?
Our expert explains that once the worms enter our body, they go to the intestine, hold on to it and start feeding on the nutrients. Apart from this, they destroy the intestinal layer, which hinders the absorption process of the body. Therefore, problems like Anaemia due to internal bleeding and Malnutrition as a result of the loss of nutrients may arise. One's physical and cognitive development can also be hampered.
In severe situations, intestines may get blocked and there can be a surgical emergency. Therefore, periodic deworming, i.e. once in a year is required to prevent chronic worm infestations, especially in children.
Symptoms To Look For
If you think you or your child has been infected by the intestinal worms, here are some of the signs and symptoms to look for, as suggested by Dr. Vijayanand:
- Looking pale
- Anemia
- Lethargy and decreased activity
- Irritability
- Fatigability
- Abdominal pain
- Frequent motion
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Loss of appetite
- The decrease in school performance
Sometimes, the worms may also pass out with feces.
“This infection can happen in adults as well but is more prevalent in children. These are not just infections but infestations, which means they can stay for years and eat what is required for the growth of the body. Thus, a child’s productivity will come down significantly. However, it is neither an acute illness nor life-threatening. But it can cause chronic problems like blocking the intestine or lead to severe anemia” says our expert.
Preventive Measures
The National Health Portal (NHP) of India states the following preventive measures:
- Using sanitary toilets, not defecating outside.
- Hand-washing, particularly before eating and after using toilets.
- Wearing slippers and shoes.
- Washing fruits and vegetables in safe and clean water.
- Eating properly cooked food.
