Danger Of Worms In Body

Indonesia, where we are located, is located in a tropical region so it really supports the life of all types of living creatures, including worms. If worms enter the human body, they can cause an infection known as worm disease. The process of worms entering the human body can be done in several ways, including:

1. Through the skin of the hands or feet, where worm larvae penetrate human skin when they come into contact with soil that contains worm larvae, especially hookworms.
2. Through swallowed worm eggs that enter the body through dirty hands or nails and contain worm eggs, especially roundworm or pinworm eggs.
3. Through food contaminated with worm eggs or worm larvae.
4. Through contact with people who suffer from worms, especially through the sufferer's hands which contain worm larvae.
5. Through consumption of meat containing tapeworms that is not cooked properly/undercooked.

Worms are one of the factors that can cause sufferers to suffer from malnutrition, especially for children in the elementary school age group who are vulnerable to malnutrition diseases, but adults can also suffer from worms. Worms in humans will cause loss of nutrients in the form of carbohydrates and protein, blood loss which can reduce work productivity and inhibit physical growth and can reduce the body's resistance so that it is susceptible to other diseases.

Types of worms that can cause worms in humans

The following are several types of worms that can enter the human body and cause worms, including:

• Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), usually enter the body through food or soil that has been contaminated with their eggs. After the eggs hatch, the worms will settle in the intestines and can spread to other organs through the blood vessels. These worms have a size of between 10-30 cm and if someone has worms, worms can be found that come out together with feces during defecation (BAB).
• Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are parasitic and attack or infect the human large intestine. These worms can enter the human body through food and drink contaminated with pinworm eggs. This worm has a smooth shape and is white in color with a size of 5-13 millimeters. This worm has a habit of laying eggs at night in the anus area, so sufferers often experience itching around the anus.
• Hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale/ Necator americanus) usually infect humans by penetrating the skin, especially in people who are not wearing footwear. These worms can also enter blood vessels and other body organs such as the lungs and heart. This worm can also cause Cutaneous Larva Migrants (CLM).
• Tapeworm (Taenia solium/ Taenia saginata) which is a parasite in humans and livestock (pigs, cows and buffalo). These worms can infect humans through consuming meat infected with worms and not cooked thoroughly.

Treatment

The way to treat worms is by taking worm medicine for 1-3 days. It is recommended that the whole family take worm medicine to prevent continued transmission of infection. Consult a doctor so that you can be given worm medicine according to the type of worm that is infecting you.

Prevention

Prevention that can be done to be aware of the dangers of these worms is as follows:

• Implement a clean and healthy lifestyle.
• Wash your hands with soap and running water before eating or when preparing food
• Cook food and drinks properly so that bad bacteria and worm eggs/worms can die so that they do not cause disease for those who consume them.
• Wash fruit and vegetables before consuming them with clean, running water so that the dirt attached to them can be clean and hygienic before consuming them.
• Cook the meat so that it is thoroughly cooked before consuming.
• Use footwear when leaving the house.
• Take worm medicine at least once every 6 months.
• Give worm medicine to pets regularly.