Ascariasis
This is a parasitic infection that is most common and widely distributed in our country.
A person gets infected with ascariasis from foods or drinks that are being contaminated with embryonated eggs that are ingested through dirty hands into one’s mouth.
Clinically, ascariasis in children may not produce any symptoms and diagnosis is made only on the basis of a positive stool examination. In some instances, there is a passage of adult worms with their stools.
Ascariasis may be associated with:
– nausea
– vomiting
– change in appetite
– malaise
– and periumbilical abdominal pain
In a heavy infection, severe symptoms may appear and there is an erratic migration of the worms to the biliary tract, the appendix, the stomach, the esophagus and to the upper portion of the respiratory tract.
Because of a bolus of entangled worms, intestinal obstruction may occur.
Ascariasis may cause death because of perforation, peritonitis, laryngeal obstruction, hepatic abscesses and cholangitis.
In cases of malnutrition in children, parasitic infection is one factor that is given utmost importance and management.
Ascaris infection equates to poor nutritional status of a child.
To control and minimize the rate of infection, our Department of Health (DOH) is giving mass treatment every 4 months or three times a year.
Health education is also a must. Information should be spread in order for people to have:
– a clean environment
– a source of clean and potable water
– proper food handling
– strict handwashing
– availability of comfort rooms in every household
– properly washed fruits and vegetables before they are eaten
– clean feet and footwear before coming inside the house since infants get infected from the soil and dirt in the floor