Parasites

A parasite is the third most prevalent infection in the world. The other name for parasites is soil transmitted helminthiases; this is common among two to five years old children. The three major causes of intestinal parasite infections are Ascaris lumbricoides , Trichuris trichiura , and hookworm or ancylostoma duodenale and necator americanus. Geofactors like temperature, humidity and wind are the primary factors which determine their distribution. They don't need any intermediate host.

Intestinal Parasites can live as long as five years and can produce eggs for more than 240,000 per day and per worm. Unsanitary disposal of human wastes, the eggs develop in the soil and can mechanically infect people when fingers, water and food are contaminated with parasite eggs.

The signs and symptoms of a client who have parasites are restlessness at night, nocturnal, anemia, malnutrition, delayed growth in height and body size, decrease physical activity and impaired mental development and poor school performance. Children that under the age group of two to five years old that are infected should start their treatment immediately. Six to fourteen years old are known to be the reservoir or the source of transmission of parasites. The frequency of treatment is done twice a year for age two years old and above.

Early treatment and diagnosis is done in respected rural health units or any medical centers. Laboratory, stool and blood examinations are being performed to determined and classify the type of parasites.

Prevention and control is very important to lessen the cases of children that are infected of parasites. Good personal hygiene like thorough washing of hands before eating and after using the toilet. Keep fingernails short and clean. Use footwear like shoes, slippers and other type of foot wears. Washing of fresh fruits and vegetables very well helps to remove soil.

The use of sanitary toilets makes a major objective for every household. In areas where water is not safe for drinking, teach families to boil properly at least two to three minutes from boiling point or use chlorine but consult the sanitary inspector first. Once signs and symptoms appear, consult any medical staff.

The famous medication for deworming is metronidaxole. Ensure proper dosage of medication and completion of treatment to decrease the prevalence of getting infected with parasites again. Before giving the ant parasite medication, health practitioners advise their clients to take Benadryl thirty minutes so that the parasites will become drowsy and will not be excreted in the mouth and ears. Referral and re check up is important to ensure the clients health status.

If parasites are not being treated this can travel through the lungs and impede breathing of a client and they can also harbor the lymphatic and blood system.