Nagaur : A direct example of how worms can harm the body was seen in Kuchaman City of Didwana district, where a worm (roundworm) grew in the stomach of a 30-year-old youth. The worm kept getting nutrition from the body of the youth and it grew up to 30 cm long. Due to this, the youth started having frequent pain in the stomach. When the doctors did high resolution sonography of the youth, a 30 cm long worm was seen in the intestine. According to the information, the youth, a resident of Kuchaman City, works as a laborer in Delhi. He was suffering from stomach pain for some days. When he reached a private hospital after getting some relief from medicine and having frequent pain, the doctor suggested sonography. On this, radiologist Dr. Pradeep Chaudhary did high resolution sonography and a long adult worm (roundworm) was seen in the small intestine in the stomach. On this, the doctors immediately gave him Albendazole tablet, due to which the 30 cm long worm came out of the young man’s body through stool the very next day and the young man got relief from stomach pain.
What is a worm and how does it cause harm?
The eggs of parasites from the feces of the affected human or animal live in the soil. Small children often play in the soil, and put their soiled or dirty hands in their mouth. By doing this, these parasite eggs or worms enter the stomach from the soil. Apart from this, these worms can also reach the stomach by consuming fruits and vegetables without washing them properly, or by consuming half-cooked vegetables. As soon as the eggs or worms of the worm reach our stomach, they stick to our intestines and start living on the nutrition of the body. This can cause problems like stomach ache, vomiting.
Parasitic worms can impede mental development
Dr. Bhagirath Chaudhary, surgeon of Shriram Hospital, said that these worm parasites live in the intestine and can cause malnutrition or anemia without causing any symptoms. They can also retard mental development. They can also cause stomach pain and vomiting. Sometimes, if there are a large number of adult parasites, they can cause blockage or a hole in the intestine and can go outside the intestine and cause pneumonia or blockage.
This medicine is given on National Deworming Day
It is worth mentioning that every year on National Deworming Day, children are given Albendazole medicine to prevent soil-borne helminths so that this parasitic worm cannot harm the children’s body. Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, freedom from open defecation and public awareness of hand hygiene are also effective steps in its prevention.
27 percent of STH cases are in India alone
Kuchaman Imaging’s radiologist Dr. Pradeep Chaudhary said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 24 percent of the world’s population is infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH), but 27 percent of STH cases in the whole world are in India alone. Ascariasis or roundworm is the main helminth infection caused by soil. Its effect is mainly seen in children and it is seen everywhere in India, but its effect is more in the southern and eastern states. Adult parasites are sometimes visible in high resolution sonography.
This is how you can protect yourself
Dr. Laxman Mohanpuria, microbiologist of Kuchaman Government Hospital, said that to prevent worm infection, one should not defecate in open places. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap before eating and after defecation. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with water before eating. Nails should be kept clean and short. Apart from this, drink clean water, keep food covered and do not play outside barefoot and wear shoes.
