WORMS

S/N 1 WORMS Tapeworms LIFE CYCLE/CAUSES SYMPTOMS Three-stage lifecycle: egg, larva and adult Sometimes tapeworms cause signs and stage. Grazing in pastures or drinking symptoms such as: asymptomatic, contaminated water. They are flatworms anaemia, Nausea, weakness, diarrhea, that affect humans through pork, beef and abdominal, pain, hunger or loss of appetite, fish that contain cysts of larvae that are fatigue, weight loss, vitamin and mineral eaten half-cooked or undercooked. These deficiencies. Often having tapeworms does cysts develop into their adult stage in the not cause symptoms. The only sign of intestinal tract. They may grow up to 30 tapeworm infection may be segments of feet in length. Their bodies are made up of the worms, possibly moving, in a bowel hundreds of segments called proglottids movement. In rare cases, tapeworms can which contain eggs. Each mature segment lead to serious complications, including which contain both male and female blocking the intestine. If pork tapeworm reproductive structures breaks off from the larvae move out of the intestine, they can tapeworm posterior and passed in the stool migrate to other parts of the body and to begin a new life cycle. cause damage to the liver, eyes, heart, and brain. The eggs can likewise be picked up from They don't always cause symptoms. Some playground, toys, toilet seats, scratching the people notice itchiness around the anus or anus, beddings, clothing and other objects. vagina, which can be worse at night and can They can stay on a child's skin for several sometimes disturb sleep. hours and survive for up to 3 weeks on They can cause coughing, shortness of objects. They may be swallowed or breath and even pneumonia when lodged in airborne and inhaled. The eggs inside the the lungs. In the small intestine, they can body reside in the upper part of the intestine produce abdominal pain and severe until they hatch. After which they look like diarrhea. tiny straight pins move down the length of the intestine. In the night while the afflicted child sleeps, the female pinworm comes out from the rectum to lay thousand of eggs around the anus, causing skin irritation and severe anal itching. Usually contacted through ingestion of its eggs. Enter the body as eggs carried in Signs and symptoms of ascariases infection contaminated water, food or soil- are: cough, shortness of breath, abdominal contaminated hands. Some may get into the pain, nausea and diarrhea, blood in the body through the skin. Adult roundworms stool, weight loss, fatigue and presence of TREATMENT praziquantel (Biltricide), albendazole (Albenza),

Threadworm (pinworms): small white worms shorter than 1/2 inchare the most common.

To get rid of pinworms, you should wash your hands regularly to avoid ingesting pinworm eggs. If pinworm infection is detected by your doctor, or noticed in the stool, you should seek an over-the-counter treatment like Reese's Pinworm Medicine or get a prescription from your doctor for mebendazole, the most common prescription given for pinworm infections.

Roundworm

The life cycle is complicated, and in order to get rid of roundworm completely, one must interrupt this life cycle. Usually this is done with three to four treatments of a

look like earthworms and are sometimes worms in vomit or stool. found in the stool or vomit. They grow in the intestines from 1mm 1m long. Roundworm infestation is more common in places with warm and tropical climate. Their most common infection which affects one billion people worldwide is known as ascariases. 4 Hookworms

pyrantel pamoate based medicine over a month long period. It is repeated once every week to ensure that both mature and migrating adolescent roundworms are destroyed.

The eggs go with the stool and hatch 2- A large infestations of hookworms can To get rid of hookworms, mebendazole or days later in the soil. The larvae enters cause iron-deficiency anaemia and albendazole are used the most often and require a prescription by a doctor to obtain. the human body through the skin, abdominal pain. Hookworm medication in humans is usually usually on the soles of children and taken twice a day for three days. others who go barefoot. They transfer to the lungs- are coughed up and swallowed. They then take up residence in the small intestine where they attached themselves to its wall and feed on the person's blood.
A tapeworm problem is synonymous with a flea problem, since ingestion of the tapeworm eggs by fleas and then ingestion of the fleas is required to become infected. To get rid of tapeworms, you must get rid of fleas. Usually treatment for both fleas and tapeworms are administered together. The tapeworm infested individual (be they human or pet) is given a dewormer, and their environment is treated with either Nylar or Methoprene to control fleas. To get rid of ringworm, many people suggest dabbing bleach on the skin and then wiping it clean to ensure you don't give yourself a chemical burn. Essentially, an astringent or topical antiseptic like those used to treat athletes foot may also be used to treat ringworms. Antifungal medications and topical treatments are similarly used to treat pets, but spores may persist and cause recurring infections.

Tapeworms

Ringworm

Ringworm is caused by a fungus and is given its name because of the ring-shaped rash it causes when a person is infected.

GENERAL Most intestinal worm infections (also known as helminthes) can be avoided by practicing good hygiene. The most effective way to avoid a pinworm infection is by washing your hands regularly throughout the day, especially if you are visiting, live with, or work with children, who are the most prone to becoming

infected and spreading a pinworm infection to their family and friends. Washing your hands will also prevent ringworm infections, but the best way to avoid a ringworm infection is to avoid contact with other people's "personal" belongings, like towels, wash clothes, underwear, etc. Since roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms require an intervention in the life cycle of these worms to get rid of them, it should be obvious that preventing a life cycle from being possible is the best way to prevent an intestinal worm infection. MEDICAL TREATMENTS Worms are treated primarily with medication called antihelminthics. Pinworms, hookworms and roundworms are usually eradicated with pyrantel pamoate (antiminth) or mebendazole (vermox). A single dose is effective, but a follow-up dose is recommended to eliminate all eggs and larvae. If a child in the family is afflicted with pinworms, he should be dewormed, including his siblings and even adults. Tapeworms can be eliminated with niclosamide (niclocide) or praziquantel (Biltricide). All of these medications should be done in consultation with your family doctor. SELF-TREATMENT: (1) Clean entire house on the same day that medication is taken. (2) Wash towels, face towels, bed linens and clothing in hot water, using a strong detergent and bleach, (3) Clean and disinfect bathroom. (4) Sterilize, disinfect and rinse thoroughly toys and objects. (5) Trim fingernails. (6) Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet. (7) Wash hands with soap and water before and after eating. (8) Don't go barefoot outdoors. (9) Cook beef, pork and fish until they are well-done. (Guide to Medical Cares and Treatments)