How to tell your child has worms

HEALTH

Agnes Nakitende a mother of three and resident of Matugga Kilyagonja in Wakiso district was puzzled; her last born daughter who is four years could not stop crying. She scratched herself so much that her skin got inflamed.

Nakitende says the discomfort started after she gave her daughter millet porridge. She thought the girl was allergic to it, but when she fed her on matooke, the irritation re-surfaced. She took her to a clinic where she was diagnosed with intestinal worms.

Intestinal worms are parasites that commonly live in the intestines, says Dr Aisha Akujju a paediatrician in Gulu. They are widespread and common among infants.

They feed on the food that passes through the human digestive tract and breed within the intestines. They have hook-like attachments on their heads by which they attach onto the inner lining of the intestines.

Though worms are generally found in the intestines, they can also be found within the stomach and the rectum.

The two common types in humans are flatworms (tapeworms) and roundworms such as pinworms. Worms can cause malnutrition, resulting in stunted growth. They can also cause anaemia.

Symptoms

"Infants infected with worms can develop a cough and a rash. They may also feel feverish, refuse to eat and vomit or pass watery stool. The stomach also frequently hurts and may become distended", Akujju says.

Causes

Akujju says infants usually acquire these parasites from eating undercooked food, drinking contaminated water, or playing in stagnant water.

Worms can exist on the outer layer food, hence if one consumes food without washing it thoroughly, one is prone to intestinal worms. 

Milk, eggs and undercooked beef, as well as pork, may contain live worms that cause intestinal infections.

Poor hygiene habits can get one infected with intestinal worms and also pass on the infection to other people.

Dr Hassan Mayanja in Kampala says worms are not fatal if checked early and they can be treated. He advises parents to seek immediate medical help if a child manifests with the symptoms. 

However, Mayanja says babies who have anaemia and fever should not be given medication for worms unless the anaemia and fever are treated.

Wash your hands, utensils and any food thoroughly before you prepare a meal. Also, ensure that a meal is fully cooked, he advises, adding that one should dress toddlers in shoes or slippers before letting them out to play.

You can also protect infants from worm infestation by de-worming them at least once every three months.

Complications

Intestinal worms can cause severe complications and may lead to death. Worms can cause severe anaemia and diarrhoea with bloody stool, accompanied by dehydration.

Prevention

Ensure that food is washed and cooked thoroughly.

Red meat including mutton, beef and pork should be cooked thoroughly.

Milk and its products, especially if the milk is unpasteurized, it should be avoided.

Do not eat raw ghee.

Boil drinking water.

Vegetables should be cooked thoroughly or soaked in vinegar before consumption to kill bacteria.