How to tell if you've got worms

Worms are easily spread, through the likes of contaminated water, air, pets/ pet fur and even bed linen¹. Worm eggs can adhere to clothing and contaminated hands. Worms can also be spread by walking barefoot on contaminated soil or sand².

Read more about Symptoms & Causes of Worms

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Loss of appetite³
• Constipation³
• Weight loss³
• Anaemia³
• Diarrhoea³
• Abdominal pain³
• Peri-anal itching (itching around the bum)³
• Fatigue³

Read more about Myths & Facts of Worms 

PREVENTION

Prevention is the best cure. Here are some handy tips that will help prevent worm infestations in your home and keep your family happy and healthy.

• As worms are contagious, ensure the WHOLE FAMILY has been treated with VERMOX.^® - including Mom and Dad⁴.
• Worm eggs can be left on common household surfaces, so give your home a thorough clean⁴. Take care not to shake linen when removing bedding as you could be spreading infectious eggs into the air¹.
• For several days after treatment, shower rather than bath to remove any remaining eggs from the skin¹.
• Snug underwear fitted to children at night may make it harder to scratch, therefore reducing the risk of eggs transferring to fingers⁵.
• Ensure fingernails are kept short and scrubbed clean⁵.
• Discourage children from sharing food and placing objects in their mouths⁶.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly in clean water before eating¹.
• Cook meat and fish properly¹.
• Wash your hands after using the toilet, after playing in dirty sand, after farming or gardening and always before preparing or eating food^2,7.
• Wear shoes when walking on sand/ soil⁷.

Read more about Treatment of Worms with VERMOX®

• Keep sandboxes covered to prevent dogs and cats from defecating in them⁶.
• Clean up after your dog or cat and throw away any faecal matter⁶.
• Avoid the sources of tapeworms by controlling fleas and not feeding uncooked meat or offal to your pets⁶.
• Ensure you deworm your pets with a recognised animal deworming treatment, on a regular basis⁶.
• When you deworm your pets, you should also deworm yourself and your whole family⁸.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

You can assist by encouraging fellow parents/friends to check their kids for symptoms and ensure that children who may show symptoms are treated. Prevention is key!

Read more about:

• How to treat worms with Vermox®
• How worms can impact your child's wellbeing

REFERENCES 

1. Frequently Asked Questions On Deworming. http://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publications/16%20FAQ%20.... Accessed 22 June 2016.
2. Soil-transmitted Helminth Infections. WHO. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs366/en/ - Accessed 21 October 2015.
3. Whitelaw, A, Digestive Health. Worms. Health 24 http://www.health24.com/Medical/Digestive-health/Common-digestive-disorders/Worms-20120721 - Accessed 28 October 2016.
4. Threadworms. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Threadworms/- Accessed 21 October 2015
5. Worm Treatments. Health Direct. http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/worm-treatments Accessed 21 October 2015
6. Pets, Parasites and People. Year Round Prevention. http://www.petsandparasites.org/resources/pets-parasites-and-people   - Accessed 21 October 2015
7. Preventing The Spread Of Germs And Worms. http://en.hesperian.org/hhg/A_Community_Guide_to_Environmental_Health:Pr.... Accessed 21 June 2016.
8. Why Deworming Is Important For Your Pet & Whole Family. https://www.feelgoodpets.com/blogs/free-pet-health-articles-feelgood-pet.... Accessed 21 June 2016.

This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Vermox.