New Delhi: The chances of intestinal worm infection in children are very high. Worm infections cause anemia, malnutrition, and poor mental and physical development. Doctors tell parents to examine the health of their child now and then and visit doctors if symptoms start showing. Consulting with doctors regarding children’s health can help prevent the worm infection from becoming severe.
In an interview with News9Live, Dr Mohan Mahendrakar, Senior Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Motherhood Hospitals in Kothanur, discussed the impact of worm infections on overall health.
Impact of worm infections:
Intestinal worms usually absorb all the nutrients and vitamins from a child’s body and make them suffer from malnutrition. Worm Infection harms a child’s growth and development by causing weight loss, loss of appetite, and chronic fatigue. Children struggle a lot with learning and memory skills since worm infection negatively impacts brain functions and results in poor academic performance.
Methods of prevention:
Parents must make the children wash their hands using soap/handwash and water after going to the washroom or before and after meals. Children must maintain clean hands frequently and must not go barefoot. Parents should sanitize the house to prevent the transmission of infection. Children should bathe frequently and wear clean clothes. Parents should include fruits and vegetables in children’s diets to strengthen their immune systems. Muddy areas should be avoided while playing as it provides a higher possibility of being infected with worm infection. Worm infestation should be treated with medicines and the doctor will choose the best one for your child.
Conclusion:
Infection of intestinal worms can be easily prevented but there are chances that it will turn severe if preventive measures are not taken in the initial phase. Parents must meet doctors and regularly check their children. Good household hygiene will help lower the rate of intestinal worm infections in children. Proper education of parents on the impact of intestinal worm infection will help them take preventive actions.
Intestinal worms are likely to rob a child of all the nutrition that can be obtained from food. This can overtime cause malnutrition. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
