When your little one grows, you give to take care of their vaccinations, so their body is ready to fight any kind of virus or disease. Parents are aware of Polio shots and vaccination shots, but one of the treatments which not many parents are aware of is Deworming. Deworming is necessary for every child from age 2.
Yes, deworming is necessary for your child; it is because, According to the World Health Organization, approximately 241 million children in India between the ages of one and fourteen are at risk of parasitic intestinal worms known as Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH). STH infections affect approximately 68 percent of India’s children, or 7 out of every ten children in this age group. Furthermore, India accounts for roughly 28% of the total number of children worldwide who are thought to be at risk of STH infections. Therefore, these infections can significantly impact a child’s nutritional health.
What is STH?
Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most frequent infections globally, affecting underprivileged people. They are spread via eggs found in human feces, contaminating soil in regions with inadequate sanitation. The eggs transmit on vegetables or get through contaminated water resources; children can also get STH when they play in soil and put their hands in their mouths without washing the soil off.
Risks of parasitic intestinal worms or STH –
Intestinal worm infections cause morbidity in children because they block the nutritional status of the children they infect in various ways. Anemia is the most prevalent worm impact, which happens when these worms feed on host (human body) tissues, including blood, causing iron and protein loss.
Morbidity is proportional to the number of worms present. People with low-intensity infections (few worms) frequently do not develop symptoms. Intestinal signs (diarrhea and stomach pain), malnutrition, overall malaise and weakness, and poor growth and physical development are also indicators of more serious diseases.
Solution of the worms –
Deworming is the term for the process of killing intestinal worms with medication. For the treatment of intestinal worms, the Indian government offers and recommends two safe medications in the form of pills, Albendazole and Mebendazole. The age of the child determines the dosage.
Why is Deworming necessary –
Deworming can help your child increase his or her immunity and give much-needed protection from worm-related chronic illnesses. Because it can boost your child’s attention and concentration, they will be more productive at school. As a result, your youngster will be able to perform at a higher level. Deworming can aid with your child’s nutritional intake and the management of infections such as anemia and loose bowels. Furthermore, it aids in the reduction of worm infection in the population. Deworming also reduces the likelihood of children being admitted to the hospital due to gastrointestinal pain.
How often can I deworm my child?
A kid should be dewormed regularly, starting at the age of two. Recurrent worm infestations in children necessitate deworming regularly. Furthermore, children in endemic areas require bulk (community-wide) deworming. Many experts say that deworming should be done every six months to be on the safer side.
To conclude, it is important to deworm your child to avoid consequences. The government of India recognizes this problem and has also announced the 10th of February as National Deworming Day. The goal of National Deworming Day is to deworm all preschool and school-age children (enrolled and non-enrolled) between the ages of 1 and 19 through the use of schools and Anganwadi Centers to improve their general health, nutritional status, educational access, and quality of life. This day ensures that everybody gets the treatment of deworming and ensures that it can reach mass children and even in remote places where STH generally infects children.