Deworming: A Necessary Process for Children and Adults

Worm infestation is a common issue that is seen mostly among children. However, this issue can be found among adults as well due to the change in lifestyle patterns. In most cases, worm infestation is not a life-threatening infection but it can lead to various clinical problems.

What are intestinal worms?

Also known as parasitic worms. They are simple organisms that feed on the nutrients in human body.  Some of the common intestinal worms includes roundworms, whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms.  

How worm infestation occurs?

• Not washing hands before and after meals or during food preparation
• Regularly consume undercooked meat
• Walking barefoot on contaminated surface
• Swimming in a pool with untreated water
• Lick from one’s pet with worm infestation
• Accidental swallowing/ ingestion of eggs, larvae, cysts or adult worms living in food, drink, soil and faeces

Once you have consumed the contaminated substance, the parasite travels into your intestine. Then, they reproduce and grow in the intestine. Once they reproduce and become larger in amount and size, symptoms may appear.

Signs and symptoms of worm infestation

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Stomach pain/ tenderness
• Passing a worm in stool

It is necessary to deworm your family!

Deworming is a process to kill worms. Acute infection rarely has consequences for children.  However, the worm infestation is long term, chronic and negative impacts on child’s growth and development.

Paediatricians say worms can cause nutritional deficiencies and poor growth among children.

Worms enter the bloodstream and absorb the nutrients taken, which eventually affect the growth of children. Thus, deworming can help in improving growth. It is necessary to deworm your family every 6 months, especially if you have young children.

Intestinal worms grown by sucking blood from its host, in this case the human body. Loss of blood leads to a drop in haemoglobin level and causes anaemia. This can also lead to malnourishment, stunted growth, learning and educational access and achievement.

Anyone is susceptible to worm infestation.

Deworm is a whole family responsibility.

Health benefits of deworming

• Improves immunity
• Increases nutritional uptake
• Improves learning
• Improves work potential
• Be more energetic
• Reduces worm infection

8 tips to prevent worm infestation

1. Practice the habit of hand washing before and after eating
2. Washing the hands regularly especially after using the washroom
3. Washing vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables) and fruits before consumption
4. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and fish, such as sushi
5. Keep children’s fingernails short and scrub your nails regularly and change their underwear daily
6. Practice proper food hygiene, such as cover the food and drink clean water daily
7. Treat your pets, such as dogs or cats that have worm infestation
8. Take deworm tablets every 6 months!

Deworming The Gut Safely and Effectively

Deworm products help expel worms and prevent any sort of infection. The most commonly used deworming medicines are albendazole (400mg) or mebendazole (500mg). They can effectively treat the common intestinal worms. The treatment is very safe, even when it is given to uninfected children. 

Deworming is also safe, easy and affordable. It is recommended to deworm every 6 months or twice a year from the age of 2 years old. It costs less than RM20 to secure one’s growth and development from worm infestation in a year.

1.【Recommended👍🏼】K-Worm Choc Chewtab (click here)

A box of K-Worm Choc Chewtab contains the effective dose of albendazole 400 mg.

• Chocolate flavour
• 2 Chewable tablets
• Alcohol free
• Sugar free

How to take:

• Adults and children above 2 years: Chew 2 tablets as a single dose.
• Children 1 to 2 years: Chew 1 tablet as a single dose.

2. Champs D-Worms (click here)

A box of Champs D-Worms contains the effective dose of albendazole 400 mg.

• Chocolate flavour
• 2 Chewable tablets

How to take:

• Adults and children above 2 years: Chew 2 tablets as a single dose.

3. Zentel Suspension 10ml x 2 (click here)

A bottle of Zentel Suspension contains the effective dose of albendazole 400 mg.

How to take:

• Adults and children above 2 years: Take 1 full bottle (10ml) as a single dose.
• Children 1 to 2 years: Take half bottle (5ml) as a single dose.

Summary by Editor

FAQ about Deworming

1. Is there a particular age for deworming?

Kids above the age of 2 can be dewormed.

2.How frequent should I deworm my child?

We recommend to deworm every 6 months, twice a year.

3.Who is supposed to deworm?

Everyone is susceptible to intestinal worms, regardless of their age. Not only toddlers and small children, for those people who grown up with poor body or food hygiene due to poor living conditions or unclean habits, people handling pets or raw meat and persons who walk barefoot ought to deworm.

Adults are prone to worm infestation too. This is because there is a mild chance of parasites getting in our body orally, either due to poor hygiene or outside food. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone in the family to deworm together.  

Note: For pregnant women or children below 12 months are not recommended to take any deworm product.