Soi l Transmit tedParasitesROUNDWORMS, HOOKWORMS, WHIPWORMS

What a rethey?

Roundworms live in the small intestine.They can grow to over 200 mm inlength. If there are a lot of them, theycan obstruct the bowel.

Hookworms are about 10 mm long. Aheavy infection with hookworms cancause serious illnesses. Childrendevelop malnutrition . Adults, especiallypregnant women, can become seriouslyanaemic.

Whipworms are about 40 mm inlength. A heavy infection withwhipworms may lead to abdominaldiscomfort and diarrhoea.

ROUNDWORMS

HOOKWORMS

WHIPWORMS

Magnified by electronic scan

Where do theyl i ve?

ROUNDWORMS

HOOKWORMS

WHIPWORMS

Roundworms, hookworms andwhipworms live in the humanintestine. That is where theygrow up, but they start life outsidethe body.

Roundworms, whip-worms and hookwormsare also spread whenfaeces are used asfertiliser.

The vegetables maygrow well but theirleaves will be coveredwith worm eggs.

How are roundwormsand whipwormsspread?

When an infected persondefecates, eggs from theworms are passed in the stool.

If he or she does not use alatrine but defecatesoutside (near bushes, inbanana grove, in thegarden or in a rice field),the soil becomes contami-nated with worm eggs.

Somebody else willswallow the eggs without

realising it as they eat theirfood. When the eggs reach theintestine, they develop into adultworms. Another person hasbecome infected.

Other people in thevillage and especiallychildren playing on theground become in-fected with the eggs.

Their hands are coveredwith eggs so small theycannot see them.

How are hookwormsspread?

Like the other parasites,hookworms are spread when aninfected person does not use alatrine but defecates outside.

Hookworm larvae can enterthe body through any part thatcomes in contact with infectedsoil, although most often theypenetrate the skin of the feet.In the body they travel throughthe lungs to the intestine,where they will grow intoadults.

The soil becomes infectedwith eggs from the para-site. The eggs hatch intolarvae and the larvaeburrow through the skininto the body.

Others in the village become infected,especially if they do not wear shoes. In thepicture you can see a woman working in hergarden in bare feet. She will catch hook-worm.

What are thesymptoms?

heavy infection

Anemia(Hookworm only)

Malnutrition

Vitamin Adeficiency(results inblindness, dryeyes)

Intestinalobstruction

Loss of appetite Absorption offood is reduced,abdominal pain.

Does not dowell at school

Physical perform-ance decreases

Appl ies fo r Roundworms,

Hookworms & Wh ipworms.

In case of

(many worms):

How can It reat them?

MEBENDAZOLE

Appl ies fo r Roundworms,

Hookworms & Wh ipworm.

This is the recommended drug in case of parasitic infections.

Take a single tablet(500 mgs) every 6months.

The tablets should be prescribed by a qualified doctor orhealth worker.School teachers are also able to provide the drugs duringmass treatment day.

If you suspect infection, seek treatment as soon as possiblewith your local doctor or health worker!

Chew it beforeswallowing

How can I preventinfections by soil-transmitted helminths?

It is easy to prevent infection. Use a latrinewhenever possible. By using a latrine you arekeeping the environment safe.If there is no latrine for you to use, go a longway from the nearest house and dig a hole.Defecate into the hole and cover it with soilafter you have finished.

If thereare no

latrines,defecatefar away

fromhouses...

Always wear shoes or slip-pers outside so your feet arenot in direct contact with the

soil.

Cut your finger and feet nailsshort because they may carrygerms and parasites eggs.

Appl ies for Ascar i s,

Hookworms & Whipworm.

Wash vegetables thoroughly inwater that has been made safeby filtering and boiling. Youcan add a little salt or vinegarfor an even better effect.

Always wash your handswith soap after going to thetoilet and before eating.Washing will get rid of anyeggs you have picked up.

Washyour

hands

Wash vegetables

Wear shoes

Cut your nails