1) Worm Infestation (Round Worm):
Generally, an infection of intestinal tract caused by any worms is called worm
infestation. The cases of worm infestation are mainly found in sub-tropical
regions of many developing countries. Worm infestations are caused due to the
lack of pure drinking water, unhygienic food, poor personal hygiene and
environmental pollution. Worm infestation is also called helminthes disease.
Roundworm is an infection of
intestinal tract caused by ascaris lumbricoides. this is manifested by vague
symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain and cough. It is also called ascaris. The
male roundworm measures up to 25cm and the female up to 30 cm in length. The
female worm can lay about 2,00,000 eggs In a day, which are passed through
the faeces, and contaminated soil, water and vegetables. These eggs are
passed in the faces and become infective in the soil in 3-4 weeks. When the
infective eggs are ingested, they reached the intestine where they gets hatched
into larvae. The larvae penetrate the intestine and migrate to liver and lungs
and then travel to trachea to pharynx. They reach the small intestine where
they becomes sexually mature in about 6 to 10 weeks. The incubation period of
roundworm is about 2 months.
Mode of Transmission:
The main modes of transmission of
roundworm are as follows:
.Faecal-oral route: The eggs in the faeces, and contaminated water,
food, vegetables and hands. When these contaminated things directly or
indirectly,
come in contact with our mouth,
then the eggs easily transmit.
.Poor personal hygiene.
.Lack of food hygiene.
.Vector transmission, i.e, transmission by fly.
Signs and symptoms:
The symptoms of roundworm are as
follows:
.Malnutrition .Abdominal pain
.Loss of appetite .Nausea
and Vomiting
.Allergic reaction .Distension
of abdomen
.Adult roundworms may cause intestinal obstruction
.Live worms are seen in the stool and sometimes in vomit.
.Physical development of children is retarded.
Prevention and Control
The prevention and controlling
measures of roundworm infestation are as follows:
.Provision of safe drinking water.
.Proper disposal of wastes excreted by the infected person.
.The raw fruits and vegetables should be washed properly before
eating.
.Maintenance of personal hygiene.
.Keeping environment clean.
.Provision of health education to community people about the
consequences of roundworm.
.Provision of medicine to all susceptible persons in a six-month
interval.
2) Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea is defined as the
passage of loose, liquid or watery stools more than 3 or 4 times a day. About
45,000 children die each year with this disease in Nepal . Diarrhoea may be acute or
chronic. The acute diarrhoea is an attack of sudden onset, which usually lasts
3 to 7 days; sometimes it may last up to 10 to 14 days. Diarrhoea lasting 3
weeks or more may be chronic. In fact, diarrhoea is not itself a disease but
it’s a symptom of many diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera, gastroenteritis,
dysentery, etc. The main causative agent of diarrhoea are E. Coli, Gartner
Bacillus and Enteritides.
Mode of Transmission:
The main modes of transmission of
diarrhoea are:
Faecal-oral route: Faecal-oral
transmission refers to contaminated water, unhygienic food, contaminated
fruits, vegetables and drinks and dirty fingers, utensils and ingestion of
dirt. Flies also act as mechanical carriers to transfer the disease.
Signs and Symptoms:
The main symptoms of diarrhoea
are as follows:
.Loose, watery stool for 3 to 4 times a day.
.Abdominal pain
.Symptoms of dehydration
.Weakness and muscles become cramp
.Dry mouth and eyes
.Low urine output that ultimately stops.
.In severe stage of dehydration, probability of heart and kidney
failure.
Prevention and Control:
The preventive and controlling
measures of diarrhoea are as follows:
.Oral rehydration therapy (jeevan jal) should be used.
.Have nutritious liquid diet regularly.
.In case of children, breast feeding more than as usual.
.Using medicine according to the causative agent.
.Maintenance of personal hygiene.
.Proper disposal of human excreta.
.Educate people about causes and consequences of diarrhoea.
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