The prevalence of parasites
We briefly discussed the human parasites viz., hookworm, pinworm, roundworm, tapeworm, and whipworm. We saw their life cycle, their entry points into the human body, and how to prevent them from getting infected, etc.
The world is full of parasites. Hence there are chances of acquiring them howsoever clean you are.
A simple lick from your pet. A barefoot walk on your lawn. Swimming in a reservoir or a pool of untreated water. Negligence on your part to wash hands thoroughly before eating/preparing food. Unwashed salad. Untreated drinking water/milk/fluids. Undercooked meat. School-going children in the family. Any of these can get you the eggs/larvae of these parasites.
The magnitude of parasite infestation
The UNICEF report of “The state of the world’s children 1998” says that about 1.5 billion people have roundworms. Thus it is the third most common human infestation in the world. Whipworm infects 1 billion people, including nearly one-third of all children in Africa. More than 1.3 billion people carry hookworm in their gut. Hence the chances of these parasites creeping inside our body are very high.
The importance of deworming
Worm infestations often cause serious health problems. It impacts a child’s ability to attend and perform well in school. A UNICEF report says that regular deworming substantially increased school attendance and significantly improved children’s ability to learn in the school. Eventually, the growth rate and weight gain of regularly-dewormed children are pretty higher than those who aren’t. Hence regular deworming is the best solution for many of the childhood illnesses.
How often should you deworm?
Now the pertinent question: How often should I deworm myself, children, and my family as a whole? Especially you should have a fair knowledge of deworming frequencies when there are school-going kids or thumb-sucking toddlers at home. A quick or thorough search on the Internet for “How often should you deworm?” doesn’t bring you a definitive answer to this question. There are thousands of sites that guide you through the deworming schedules of horses and pets. However, you won’t be able to find a definite answer for the deworming interval or the schedule to be adopted for human beings.
I too was in such a fix while searching for information on deworming frequency for my son. As a result, I wrote this blog post to help you find a definite answer on how often should you deworm yourself, kids, and the entire family.
Answer: WHO recommendation
Now, the answer to our pertinent questions “How often should you deworm?” “What should be the deworming interval for children?” “What is the deworming frequency for adults?” etc.
Based on the World Health Organization’s recommendations, to combat the health and nutritional impact of helminth infections,
Treatment should be given once a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the community is over 20%, and twice a year when the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the community exceeds 50%.
-WHO
Deworming interval
Based on the observations, WHO’s strategy is to deworm twice a year at least to eliminate morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminthiases in children. Therefore, in most cases, it is sufficient to deworm once every six months.
However, if you suspect/notice that your child is getting worms more frequently, then deworming your child/whole family more frequently as deemed appropriate by your primary physician may be necessary. Except for tapeworms (as in the case of pinworm or whipworm infection), a second dewormer dose may be necessary after two weeks or 73-75 days after the first dose. This breaks the life cycle/kills the migrating larval forms of these parasites.
In any case, deworming the whole family twice a year is necessary. If any member of a family is infested, then definitely chances are there that other members are infested as well.
Which dewormer is to be taken?
Mebendazole/albendazole in suspension or chewable tablet form is the conventional deworming drug of choice. The side effects too are few. Those side effects that there are, are usually caused by dead worms being expelled from the body, rather than by the drug itself.
Consult your doctor
For more accurate information, consult your primary physician. S/he could help you know the prevalence of the parasites in your area, the deworming medicine and the dosage that should be taken. Subsequently, the deworming interval that should be adopted to keep the parasites at bay as well. Inform the physician about the allergies and existing diseases/pregnancy that you have, before your physician charts down the prescription.
For further information, read the complete discussion in the comments section below. The discussion below should clear your simple doubts regarding eliminating parasites from your body.
What type of broad spectrum dewormer do you recommend for human use? Our pharmacist and physician said “it’s not a problem in this day and age” and if “I’m not seeing symptoms, don’t deworm.” They basically laughed at me. I’m a vet tech and I know the prevalence of worm infestations in animals. I also know that often it goes undetected without studying their feces. How often do humans have their feces tested? I believe it’s a huge problem world wide; however, modern medicine doesn’t recognize it because it’s going undected. When my parents were young, they were routinely dewormed by their doctor. What has changed in the past 50 years? Not much. . .except for the fact that routine deworming is no longer practiced in the United States. Please tell me what products you would recommend for deworming my entire family on a broad spectrum basis. We have pets who like to lick us and we know this is a catalyst in the spread of parasites among other factors. There are 2 adults in my family, a 5 year old and a 7 month old (having a hard time finding anything at all for the 7 month old). Please advise at your earliest convenience and provide places these products can be purchased. Many thanks.
Hi I am in the same boat as you and looking for the same answers please share if you find any further information to your questions for those of us looking for the same thing
I have a nine-year-old a 3 year old and a 2 year old. I remember as a child my mum would say you have worms if I was nagging for food, now I repeat the same thing to my son 9 year old if he is nagging for food before dinner.
So I was extremely shocked when he was running to the toilet every 5 minutes assuming he had gastro. He told me his bum was sore so I don’t frustration I told him to bend over so I can have a look and holy cow there were worms!!!!!!!!! I could actually visually see them!!!!
After freaking out and calling the local chemist as the doctors were closed they informed me that it can be very common especially with young children that go to daycare I’m playing dirt etc. And that worms are very easily treated with a worming tablet that taste like chocolate, but as eggs are easily transferred with dirty little fingers the whole house will need to be cleaned as if you had a case of head lice. If one person in the family has it it’s safe to assume that the whole family potentially does, so just in case treat the whole family. And as it only kills the worms not the eggs do a second treatment after 2 weeks then every 3 months to ensure you do not get another outbreak
Hi there
Would like to offer my advice
I have a 3 year old , 1.5 year old and a 2 month old baby , so deworming is one of the important topics for us.
Deworming is a must , every 6 months, you can use vermox the adults come in a 3 day dose and for the kids a suspension is given 20ml once
so just deworm the family every 6 months
For adults you can also take a 2nd dose after 73 days to kill off the tape worm larvae
Im from South Africa and deworming every six months is compulsory for kids so we follow this schedule
Hi i believe i am suffering from both tapeworm and pinworms for the past 6 months. I’ve been tested for both with negative results. However, I found a long 4inch worm in stool. Looks like tapeworm. I am suffering now with IBS type symptoms and have lost too much weight. I also think my kids havr only the pin worm. I treated them with pyrantel pomate and still show symptoms. Would would you do in my shoes? Im desperate. What can I tell our doctors to receive treatment? What will help eliminate both types of parasites? Please help!
Hi Crystal. I hope that by now you have been treated. My experience with a tapeworm…(well, I don’t think there is ever just one!) was extremely frustrating and I was left beyond belief that after nearly a year of having terrible symptoms, three stool examinations taken and numerous blood tests, no one found this parasite. Like you, I was experiencing terrible IBS symptoms that were debilitating at times. I lost 15 pounds and had very little energy. What in the end finally brought this monster tapeworm (literally) to light was what I would call a plum brandy toxification! I was leaving Canada for a year to go travelling and the send off party turned out to be more than just my send off!! The thing finally let go of me and I couldn’t believe what I had been hosting within my gut! Six feet, they told me at the clinic! I didn’t even know that we had these types of parasites in BC! Also, it was apparently a be salmon parasite…something that would be commonly seen here. Anyway, I must say that this taught me to listen to my own instincts from then on and I realized that docs don’t always have the answers….even when the evidence is right there at hand.
I deworm the family annually and use over GE counter Combantrim.
I need to know the answer please I went to Dr 3 time different Dr’s and they laughed mine is in my stool and coming out of my skin
I am in the same situation. I am a pharmacist myself. Unfortunately, I can’t prescribe for myself. Those doctors are so ignorant and think that just because we live in developed countries means that there would be no parasitic infections. Well, parasites and bacteria are everywhere. Undercooked meat, such as beef and fish, or sashimi, often have microscopic parasitic ova that cannot be detected. I have a feeling that these doctors conspire with diagnostic centers (such as Quest Diagnostic) by telling them to just give false-negative results. I have interned in two principal teaching hospitals for Harvard Medical School, namely Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I am so tired of these arrogant yet ignorant doctors who presume that developed countries are immune to parasites. Kids play in the dirt a lot. If they aren’t hygienic, they can get infected. My kids’ pediatrician also told me the same thing. I directly told them that parasites are everywhere in the world, not just in third world countries with contaminated water resources. If you are desperate, I can recommend taking dog dewormer which is broad-spectrum and does not need a prescription. I am so tired of these same repeated answers from these doctors while the patients are suffering from obvious symptoms. Next time those doctors mock you, just tell them to eat some undercooked beef, pork, sashimi, and fish and let them get a handful themselves to prove themselves wrong.
I think it should be OK to take dog dewormer (according to weight) since these are the same medications we use in human beings except in different dosages, just as we give the same medications to kids who are ill but just adjust the dosages according to their weight and size.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dog+dewormers
Hello Crystal,
Look up Epsom salt cleanse. Some years back it used to say it completely cleaned your digestive tract from all parasite. It did say it takes 30min – to 6 hours. So plan on staying home. Nowadays the only thing you find is the directions for constipation, and that is the type of Epsom salt you will need.
Be aware, when you do it, it does not kill the parasite inside your body like most cleanses do. Therefore you will not feel sick from whatever the effects of the dying parasite. Please look it up and try to follow the protocols of it. It’s very important to not eat afterwards, and when you do, the kinds of food to reintroduce your body to at first. Hope this helps you.
Dee,
Even I was dewormed regularly during my childhood days but that practice is getting dropped nowadays.
Any benzimidazole derivative will do. (albendazole, mebendazole or febendazole). Check for the appropriate dosages according to body weight.
Raj
As an epidemiologist who has dewormed remote, indigenous peoples, I have found that it is important to test for the specific type of parasite via microscopi examination of the stool.
Albendazole and mebedenzole are 80% effective against roundworm and hookworm, but only 30% effective against whipworm; for whipworm, other regimens are needed
Hi wonder if you can help me. My daughter suffers a lot and everytime I go doctors he says she has nothin. Even stool samples come back normal. But as soon as I worm her they are there in her stools. How can the tests be negative to an infestation but only show up in fecies only after worming ??
You need to take them the stool samples that you find the worms in. I had a tapeworm that no one detected from blood and stool samples taken over the period of nearly a whole year. Trust me, I wasn’t impressed after the amount of discomfort I experienced and the weight I lost. Trust in your own findings and you can probably determine on your own what kind of worms they are (it’s unlikely but perhaps she has more than one type?) then you can determine what treatment is needed according to type of parasite. Some need dosing twice to kill off hatched eggs. I hope this helps. Don’t let the docs tell you she’s fine, when you know that she’s not.
With regards to deworming, my 16month old daughter’s pediatrician doesn’t want my kid to be dewormed just yet because “she’s too young”. However, I’m a bit worried because I noticed that my child would seemingly scratch her bottom by rocking back and forth on her bath tub, and her stomach has grown quite big enough to be noticed. She also has scratch marks on her bottom. She’s not really a thumb sucker but she would frequently put her hand in her mouth. And now that she’s confidently walking on her own, she has easy access to dirty things. We have a dog but she’s doesn’t live inside the house with us.
My question is, is my child manifesting symptoms of worm infestation? If so, I will insist a prescription for my daughter. However, is it advisable to deworm a 10-kilogram baby?
You can take all the medical information that you find on the web just for informational purposes only. Your physician will be the best person to come to a conclusion as he/she has access for physically examining a patient.
The symptoms that you reproduce here can be of parasites as there is a pet/child puts hand in mouth/has access to dirt or fungal infection because of wet diapers. So the best person would be your doctor itself to suggest you any other alternative for a complete cure.
Raj I think that you are giving too much to doctors. Medical practitioners should be placed correctly; they are only there to advise the public on the available treatments for diseases and the safety of those treatments. The final choice of any treatment should be the prerogative of the patient. For God’s sake doctors are not gods and do not know everything. Their knowledge is limited as well and people should not rely on them so defenselessly.
Michael I love your comments about the doctors who are not gods. Wish every and each American meditate at least 5 minuts upon your statement.
preach !!!!!! Best statement I’ve seen all year
I agree, and would like to add. How many doctors really know their patients? In my experience they still operate as they are a small town family friend. But rush as many patients through their office a day as possible. Only actually seeing the patients for 2-3 minutes. If at all. Then prescribing whichever medicine the pharmaceutical rep has been pushing. For the most common illness in the area.
Why your pedia doesnt want, better ask other pedia. WHO recommends deworming every 6 months starts at age of 1. It is free, deworming tablet will be given by health center. Check your health center. Your child should be dewormed because at that age they put everything in their mouth and we cannot sterilize everything.
Omg my son’s stomach’s the same really swallow to see but the rest of his body is fine and iv had himi at the doctors numerous times and been sent packing with them thinking I’m just being over concerned!! He can’t even control his bowels and poo comes out which he doesn’t feel come out until he needs tof be wiped?and like iv says I take him down to the doctors and seen several different doctors but they can’t seem to give me the answer I’m looking for or want!!!!anyone got any advice????
Hi Raj, Someone told me that deworming medicine should be taken by the whole family together. Is that correct? if yes, what is the rationale behind this? could you pl, explain. Thanks
Yes. It is correct. The reason is simple. You don’t know who is infected and who is not. Taking deworming medicine by all the members of the family together ensures the spread is curtailed at least for a while and that you don’t immediately acquire it from a family member.
I’m from Africa, I think the last time I was dewormed is when I was in the elementary school. Now I’m 24 should I still take deworming medicine? And ‘ve been drooling lately.
I don’t think drooling has anything to do with worms. Otherwise, deworming the whole family once in 6 months should do the needful, especially since you are from Africa. We don’t have any idea about the worms prevalent in your locale, hence your primary physician could be the best person to help you out.
pls raj,the last time i dewormd was wen i was a kid.nw am almost 30.can not deworming make a man slimmer than he should be?
That is another myth. At 42, I am taking deworming medicine along with my son once in 6 months and I haven’t got slimmer. Instead, all the energy that would have got sucked up by worms is redundant and I have to maintain my diet to not get obese! Bust your myth. If you have a kid at home, it would be in the best interest of your family to deworm the whole family on a single day.
Can Albendazole tablet be taken after two weeks in case the worm inside doesn’t die completely??
How do you know if there hasn’t been complete eradication? What worm was it? At what dosage and what interval did you take? To get complete resolution, only your doctor can help you after examining you.
Dear Raj,
i can’t say the last time i was dewormed. I was just feeling as if my system is still full even after toilet and not eating. So the idea of worm came to my mind and i decided to check more about deworming online, that is what brought me to your article. It is resourceful indeed.
Please, from the brief analysis of my situation, do you think that i need to be dewormed?
I will also make a step to popularise this issue among my peers.
I don’t think the bloated feeling is due to the presence of worms in your digestive system. There are a lot of causes for the bloated feeling.
So it would be best for you to consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose and treat your ailment.
My stomach was bloating and could not eat properly. I took Albendazole I am 80% ok.can repeat taking Albendazole after how many days.
Can noise and movement in d stomach b a sign of worm and what can someone do abt dat
May be regular bowel movements unless there is any specific complaint.
Hi Raj,
my 3 year old has a weight problem and has seen a paediatrician whom prescribed albendazole. unfortunately the instructions were not clear.
when is the best time to feed her? (day or night)
will there be any side effects?
what will happen after taking it?
and another concern, should we adult take albendazole together, would it be okay for a cancer adult to take too?please advise. thank you.
See Vany, I am not a doctor. Whatever I have written above is general information. For any specific questions, your family doctor and your pediatrician should be the right persons to clear all your doubts.
check out drug answers (dosages, side effects, administration, etc.) with these websites.
http://www.rxlist.com
http://www.drugs.com
Hi Raj I don’t remember whether I have been dewormed or not since when I was a toddler by my parents, now that am 30 I have bought this Albendazole for my initial medication without consulting any doctor rather only Chemistry owner gave to me should I carry on with this medicine?
Another question what are the symptoms and signs of one having worms?
One last question can I get worms through kisses?
Much thanks to this site Raj.
1.) “Should I carry on with this medicine?” If you are doubtful, consult a doctor. Decision is yours.
2.) “What are the symptoms and signs of one having worms?” The first line itself has links to each type of worm. You have information there.
3.) “Can I get worms through kisses?” Yes you can if you come into contact with an infected person although the mode of infection is different for different worms. Go through all those links I said above and you will get a fair idea on how each worm can cling on to you.
Hi Raj. May sound silly but deworming scares me. Is there medication out there that can crush the worms before they come out? lol. I am not kidding..
Yes, due to the mode of action of deworming medicines, the worms will be crushed. With naked eyes, you won’t be able to see them at all in feces. So there is no need to fear about that.
Not all are crushed though. I remember myself expelling ascaris when dewormed the night before.
Too shy about telling doctor – the itching is intense… across buttocks from rectum and out. How can i with no pets, and no contact with others, skin to skin, get this infestation? I fear opening the topic with doctor. She’s probably never heard of this in (hate to say this) First World USA.
The mode of infestation for each type of parasite is different. Worms can get through food, water, finger nails, or even with a barefoot walk in your garden.
We discussed all these information earlier, the links for which have been provided in the first line of this page for each type of worm. Click each link, read all the information, and know yourself how you might have contracted any type of worm.
Hi Raj, is it gud to take any kind of dewormer? Do u think there should be a specific type of medicine? I took wormin tablets last week and ever since,i still feel very heavy and a moving sensation in my stomach,should i still repeat the treatment? Thanks,Edith from Nigeria.
Edith, this is a general informative post. Only a doctor could physically inspect you, diagnose your problem, reach a conclusion, and advise a treatment accordingly. I am not a doctor.
Seek medical attention for all your specific ailments.
Howdy, Raj!
Are dewormers safe to be taken every 6 months?
Do we need to have our stool/blood/urine analyzed each time, before we take them?
Thanks in advance….
From the Philippines
1.) At least that is what UNICEF and WHO says, to have regular growth rate in children.
2.) If you wish to have an idea of what type of infection you have, it is good to have the stool/blood tested for parasites, eggs, and larvae.
Hi Raj,
My son is 19 months and doctor had administered deworming medicine about 5 days back .
However I still find him scratching his bottom quite frequently. Also his rectum area is quite reddish . Does deworming has anything to do woth this ? His appetite has increased quite remarkably and his bowel movvments are more frequent . Is this also due to Deworming?
The redness could be diaper rash or some infection or due to scratching because of some itching sensation. Take your son to the doctor and get physically inspected.
Depending on the complaint that led to the doctor visit earlier and the subsequent diagnosis, the doctor would be the appropriate person to answer other questions you have asked.
He might have pinworms which lay their eggs around the anus at night and thus can make the anus very itchy.
I think the last time I was de wormed was when I was a child, now I’m 24, do u think it is important I deworm myself now?
Yes, it is better to deworm the whole family twice a year for the benefit of everyone, especially the kids.
I am curious if a person had a colonoscopy would signs of worm infestation be evident or is that something they wouldn’t even think to look for?
Yes, if you have worm infestation, it will be very much evident moving in front of the camera during colonoscopy.
This may not be the case for everyone. I had a colonoscopy and they found nothing but had symptoms. Several years later and much sicker with same symptoms I was diagnosed with whipworms. Doctor did a mucus scrapping where they hide and that is how they were found.
What deworming medicine do you use for yourself? Can we get it over the counter? Is it sold in any store or does it have to be ordered online?
Same as what I have said above. Yes, it is available OTC at my place.
Raj, where do you live? In the United States here, these drugs must be prescribed. I am so sick and tired of arrogant yet ignorant doctors. Instead of properly treating patients, they serve as the gateway to block treatments with often false negative “test” results.
I live in India.
Is there anyway you can send some antihelmintics (antiparasitics) through the mail to the United States here? I tried order some online through some pharmacies because I am so tired of asking medications from doctors. I did receive some but those didn’t seem very effective. Do you have any Indian online pharmacies where I can order medications to mailed to the United States? Thank you.
I been having some itching feeling in my anus.Is that because of worms?
Maybe.
Most likely pinworms which lay their eggs around the anal area at night causing the itching.
I just came back from a long vacation from a third world country. I had a lot of diarrhea during my vacation. And since I got back, I have been itchy all the time. Does worms cause itchiness in the skin?
Of course, possibilities are there. Get a stool test done to look for traces of parasites and if found positive, treat appropriately.
Stool tests in the US don’t necessary detect. I have had multiple coming up negative. Mucus scrapping had better results.
Hi,
i am 30years old,i hv been suffering frm weight loss since 4 years i hv tried number of suupplements but nothng worked ,after reading these links i feel i might be suffering frm worm infection.My appetite is increased but my weight is not increasing accordingly.I want to put on weight,CAN dewormig help me to put on?
Your problems can be related to umpteen other causes. Consult your doctor to arrive at a definite diagnosis.
Dear Raj
Thanks for the above information.
My son has small rushes on his head. Can these be caused by worms?
Linnet
Nairobi Kenya
May be or may not be. Without physical inspection, one can only make a guesswork. So don’t go for vague advises that you get for free on the Internet. Consult a doctor who could make a physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis.
Hi Raj:
Is there deworming medication that is safe for pregnant women to take?
Worms are not endemic in my area but I am taking care of some newborn puppies at the moment and it’s almost certain that will have worms. They are too young to be de-wormed for another two weeks. While I am very careful not to touch them or their excrement with my bare hands and I wash very thoroughly after touching anything that has come into contact with them, I’m very concerned about the potential consequences of an infection on my fetus.
Thanks.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You’re going to be a great mommy!
I completely agree with Penny’s views (read below) regarding your concern. It is not advisable to take any self medication during pregnancy. A stool test will reveal whether you have contracted any parasite. If it turns out to be positive, your doctor will take a call and decide the appropriate course of action. My prayers and best wishes for you to have a safe and painless birth.
Babs,
I’m a Registered Nurse who happened across this article while research dewormers for my dog. You are being very careful about contamination with the puppies; in this case if you don’t already have worms, it’s highly doubtful you will get them!
There are some medications that MAY be safe, but few studies have been done, so generally they would only be given if it is QUITE sure you have tested positive for worms, and depending on the type and timing in your pregnancy, there would be limited, safer selections of medications. Always in medical care the pros are weighed against the possible negative effects of any treatments for a problem, especially an unproven problem.
…and in many cases, the actual danger of having most of the regular worms you can get from pets is irritation of your digestive system and potential malnutrition. If a doctor suspected you might have worms, your stool can be checked as many times as needed to set your mind at ease, and you are presumably already eating well and taking prenatal supplements, as well as having regular check-ups.
The safest thing to do is share your fears—and such fears are very normal in pregnancy–and if your doctor pooh-poohs your fears, insist on a “stool check for ova and parasites” or stool for O &* P, as it’s commonly known.
Raj may or may not be right here; what he says has merit and I do wonder especially about children and those of us who work on farms or are really cozy with our pets. But in the case or pregnancy, it’s much safer to hold off on and self-treatment, especially of something unlikely. Your good hygiene with those puppies is your best defense! Later, when you’re through with pregnancy and nursing, if you’re just convinced what Raj suggests may be right, you can choose to experiment on your own self with much less risk.
Best Wishes and Congratulations on your expectant motherhood,
Peri in MO
What happens to someone when he or takes in a dewormer twice in a month
There is nothing wrong in it. May be you are actually breaking the parasite life cycle perfectly, especially roundworms, if you are taking the second dose between 10 to 21 days.
Hi, my son who is 7 has been complaining on and off, of tummy ache could that be causee by worms?We’ve already seen the Doctor,he had a feel but said there’s nothing wrong, because he’s not gone off his food and generally he’s well in himself. If it is, which dewormer would you recommend?
There are other reasons too for tummy ache not just worms. Your doctor must have diagnosed the reasons for tummy ache and had your son required a dewormer, your doctor would have prescribed it.
Hi Raj,
My 6 Year old daughter has been teeth chattering while sleeping at night mostly. As advised by my homeopathic doctor, I gave her once 10mg deworming medicine and she stopped for few days. Again she has started teeth chattering at night and its been 3 months I gave her medicines for worm. Please let me know if it is because of worm or something else? Can I gave her one more dose? Thanks for your advise and help.
Hi Manish,
Try giving deworming medicine 21 days after the first dose to ensure that the life cycle of the parasites is completely broken.
Furthermore, make it a routine for the whole family once in every 4 or 6 months, or as deemed necessary by your family physician depending upon the prevalence of parasites in your area.
hi Raj, I’m now living in the third world country, I feel sick all the time . I feel bored of my sickness, itchy skin, gassy gut, bloat , PMS, itchy bottom, noisy tummy , headaches and muscle pain. I just don’t understand why doctors here don’t want to prescribe deworming medicine. I explained to my doctor everything and he just ignore it its very obvious already that I have parasite infection but, he warned me if I want to de worm myself I have to pay him and use my own money not the insurance. It’s very strange . I think doctors want everybody get sick so that they can have a lot of money. They always say you are ok! It’s normal!!! I burst into tears because they are unhelpful they want me suffer from this kind of …. Anyway Thanks!
Strange. Pity you. Try getting the dewormers online.
where can we get dewormers online? any suggestions? where do you live, btw, since you said in your country, dewormers are OTC? Thank you.
I live in India. Try Googling out if you can get them online at your place. Else, yours is a good idea of buying it as a vet medicine OTC and dosing it according to body weight.
Hey Raj! My son is 16months. I bought him deworming solution otc. The pharmacist recommended I give him 2.5ml morning and evening for 3 days as it is the first time I’m deworming him and then every 6months. Does it really have to be that way? Or should 1 dose be enough? Thanx
Hi Yusuf,
Your pharmacist has given you the correct advice. Follow that.
The dosage has to be increased as your son grows. Seek your doctor’s advice at that time.
Which dewormers you should prescribe for a mother who is lactating?
Indeed you need to confirm if the mother has worms with a stool test and then take a decision. Seek your doctor’s help as s/he will be the right person to guide you on this.
Have you ever heard of anyone taking deworming medication meant for animals? I ordered Canidon from ebay. This medication is sold over-the-counter in Bulgaria. It contains the same medication for humans but at a much lower price. It is really cheap in Bulgaria. Do you know anything about this medication? I can find nothing on the internet about it. Thanks.
As far as I can collect information, the ingredients of Canidon are Praziquantel 0.050 g, Pyrantel pamoate 0.150 g, Febantel 0.150 g, and excipients 0.650 g. It is used in the treatment of mixed canine infections.
Now the answers for your questions: First of all, the worm load between animals and human beings vary, so do the type of worms. Secondly deworming medicines are dosed depending upon the body weight of the patient. You may far outweigh your dog! Hence the dosage may turn inadequate to flush the worms from your body. Thirdly, the interval has to be spaced apart depending upon the worm load, type of infection, and the response of the body to the treatment; sometimes a body may respond with allergy rather than shedding the worms! Beware; any side effect arising out of lack of medical supervision may be life threatening. While deciding to administer a medicine, the benefits should far outweigh the risks, and that should be a decision taken by your doctor. Note that Praziquantel is not licensed for use in human beings in the UK! Lastly, the aforementioned ingredients are given to different types of worm infestations. Usually a human being may not have all those types of worms in his/her body and may not need all of those ingredients to treat only a particular type of worm.
Hence it is advisable to not take it, especially without seeking opinion from your doctor.
Hi,
I am 40 yrs old and I’ve been taking deworming tablets once in 6 months or so. Last week I took an albendazole tablet and the next day I had vomiting and dizziness. So I checked online and found out that deworming tablets have side effects. Could that be because of the tablets? Now it’s 5 days since I had the tablet but I still feel that itchy irritation in my anus and my stomach makes a lot of rumbling noise. Please help me with some information.
Side effects for deworming tablets are rare, insignificant and temporary, like nausea. If you are heavily infested, it may cause abdominal pain, as the body will be struggling to expel the dead worms. Hence, before coming to a conclusion whether it is a side effect or due to worm load or something else, a doctor would like to know what all you had along with the tablet and the previous day, your lifestyle and sanitation in your locality, and the prevalence of worms in your locale. As you still have persistent anal itching and had vomited and had dizziness after taking albendazole, it’s better to seek the advice of a doctor, and he may prescribe you alternative medicines.
Well the thing is there are some doctors whobelieve in deepening and some don’t. This has confused me alot. So that’s an important issue as well. But as my mom went with deworming with us so I go with my boys as well.
Hi I am in the same boat as you and looking for the same answers please share if you find any further information to your questions for those of us looking for the same thing what did you use to deworm your family
what are the foods not allowed to eat when taking a deworming tablet?
Your regular diet. No restrictions.
Where can i get a good affordable deworming medication for humans?… The perscription is over $400 and the otc Reese’s is weak.
The doctor i visited said is not necessary to de worm that de worming is for people in the rural area. How true is this?
Hello Raj, My one year old son has never been dewormed. Of recent he has these stubborn rashes that are very itchy making him restless especially at nights. He’s also very fussy and not interested in his formula but would still take a little food from the family pot. He has been up to date with his vaccined and clinic appointments but his pediatrician has never mentioned deworming him. Should I assume that he has worms or could it just be something else like teething perhaps.
It should be the manifestation of ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin, which is passed on by skin-to-skin contact. Hence if it is ringworm, anti-fungal cream should help. Your pediatrician will be the right person to guide you. Consult him/her immediately.
Hi raj I’m 20 years old right now I think I have worm infestation, but when I undergo in fecalysis to check my feces if there is worms , the result is negative. I am doubtful about this result because the doctor only test a very(very) small amount of my feces.
My question is, is very small amount of feces tested can really say if you have worms or not
Yes, it is enough.
She took the deworming syrup last night and was not yet able to pass out until today..can she eat even though she wasnt able to defecate yet?
It is not a laxative. She should be able to eat anything. If you are worried, touch base with your doctor.
Hi..
Is it possible to still have intestinal worms even if a person is negative in fecalysis?A friend of a friend have a history of worm infestation and recently expelled worm from her mouth.She was treated i think and when had fecalysis,the result is negative for worms.But lately she’s having stomach problem.
Thats why i would like to know if its possible to still have worms even if negative in fecalysis.Thanks!
It depends on the time interval, whether the life cycle has been disrupted. Check with your doctor.
Hi Raj,
I have given my five years old a worm syrup but she didn’t take the syrup correctly that was three months ago , can i now give her correctly even if it is not 6 months yet for another treatment?
You can.
I have not taken a dewormer for about 6 months now and I just took an Albendazole when I was having some bad stomach aches but by the Lord’s grace the stomach aches stopped after some few hours when I took the medicine. Can I eat meals after taking the Albendazole the same day before going to bed.
Why not?
Hi Raj
I’ve given my 3year old son a deworder (syrup)2days ago but he didn’t take it correctly.the next day I waited for him to remove his bowels but couldn’t see the worm.when should I deworm him again?Im worried that the worm might grow bigger or increase in number if not dewormd soon.
You can give the dewormer again, no harm. The worms will get disintegrated into pieces inside the bowel. You may not be able to see the worms with your naked eye.
Hey Raj…I took my deworming medicine myself two months ago but I can still feel a warm in my throat. Is it okay to take another deworming pill?
It’s okay.
Hi Raj,
In my son school they gave deworming tablet,After taking the pill,he was scratching his body and in evening i found around his belly,chest and around his neck rashes.I took him to nearby pediatrician ,he told it may be allergies by taking the pill and he suggested some tablets.i’m worried .He is not taking his food regularly,often avoiding it.
Now my question is ,Why rashes are found in his body?I it due to deworming tablet.Please help me.
It might be the same reason that your pediatrician stated. He will be the right person to guide you. If he suspects worms, he may prescribe alternative medicines. Follow his directives.
Hii Raj,
This question has been disturbing me for quite sometime now..
Is it necessary to deworm like after one month each..what are the side effects of regular deworming???
You don’t have to deworm each month. Deworming medicines may not destroy the eggs. So, you only have to break the growth cycle by taking the deworming medicine certain days apart for the first time. Your doctor could guide you in that if you have infestation.
There are no side effects proved so far.
Regular deworming of the entire family once every 4 or 6 months apart would be ideal, especially if you have growing children at home.
I know your not a doctor but I have a situation. In short, I’m about 1 step away from being homeless again. I can’t afford to see a doctor. I feel there is no need. I have a worm infeststion, I can see them in my feces, a lot of them. They look like rice. I’m going to self medicate because that’s my only option . my question is what kind of medication do I take for a very bad infestation of this kind of worm and how often. I’m thinking at least double if not triple what the normal would be. Please don’t tell me to go to the doctor if I could I would.
Albendazole 400 mg as a single dose, if you are an adult. Repeat in 15 days. If stool test still positive after 30 days, repeat.
For children weighing less than 20 kg, 200 mg as a single dose, repeat in 15 days.
If living with a family, entire family should be dewormed including pets and servants if any.
Once completely got ridden, once every 4 months regularly.
Thank you very much, very helpful.
Do I know if medi cal would cover the cost of the medication for this?
You may have to check with your insurance provider.
Thank you
hai i am 28 now and mother for 2 children. few days before i found one worm(red coloured thinny about two inches worm)while passing urine.i am scared after seeing that.what i have to do now.
Deworm.
If, i have been having head aches, abdominal pains and tummy rumbling. I havent taking dewormer for like two years now, and am conteplating taking ‘worming’. Whats ur take on dis.
No idea.
the question is how often we deworm ourselves (adults) irrespective of any identification of worms
The whole family including kids and pets should be dewormed at least once in six months irrespective of any identification of worms. Only if you don’t have kids or pets at home, or don’t eat outside, or the prevalence of nematodes in your area is rare, you should think otherwise.
Hi,
Is it safe to fast after deworming? Would you advise it.?
Dewormers have nothing to do with human beings. It only affects parasites.
Doctors usually advise taking dewormer as a single dose before going to bed. So you are already fasting until your breakfast next day. Hence I don’t think there is anything wrong in fasting after taking deworming medicine.
Hello
I want to deworm myself, so what medicine at how much dose shall i take…am 27. No wait gain, sometimes tenusmus at toilet, increased rate and amount of feeding….etc. Thank you
Consult your doctor.
You keep saying to deworm every 6 months, but my doctor poo poos the idea of worms, even though I do dog rescue and am around a lot of animals. I also walk barefoot in my yard. Probably shouldn’t do that after reading this. Anyway, how do I deworm every 6 months when my doctor won’t even do a test? Where do I get the wormer? Thanks.
It’s not my recommendation but rather WHO’s recommendation which says:
Usually U.S. doctors poo poo the idea of deworming. Read Dee’s comment above. May be the US doctors don’t consider worms, parasites, etc., to be a serious problem.
Or else, don’t know if your doctor thinks prevalence of helminths in your locale is rare or if there is any limitation imposed by your insurance company or if s/he thinks deworming is not good for your gut! Yes, there are people who think that for the body’s immunity to be preserved, the natural flora and fauna of the gut need to be preserved! ;)
You might have to see if dewormers could be bought online or if they are available over the counter at your place. CVS Pharmacy? Yes, I remember reading a US guy’s endeavor in a similar situation like yours.
hlo sir ..Right frm my 5th class i am suffering frm Tapeworm disease .i had tablets for deworming many times bt it didn’t work .Nw i am a pg student ,still suffering frm this disease.i am shy of telling my family again & again.plz suggeste me what to do ?
Consult your doctor for a thorough deworming, to break its life cycle.
I am 36 years old now, and as far as I can remember I see tapeworm coming out of my anus during elementary days, for now I experienced only a month ago, I have checked with my doctor, and advised me to have a stool exam. I followed it and after that it’s negative result. I ask if it’s ok to take deworming tablet.. and he prescribed me with combantrin….after two weeks… and until now I still feel the itchiness in my anus, somehow..feeling like creepy, even not repeating stool exam, can I have regular deworming? or is itchiness mean another illness or simply because of worms.
Thank you
1.) Deworm regularly.
2.) There can be other reasons too like infection from unhygienic toilets, sweat/wet undergarments, allergy, constipation induced acute crack/anal fissure, hemorrhoid, fungal infection (with or without diabetes) etc. Only your doctor can diagnose it. Follow up GP.
hello Raj, I can notice weight loss and I get hungry almost immediately after eating.
It could be onset of diabetes. Only your doctor could diagnose the reason. Check with your family physician immediately.
hello Raj, I had stool test and it tested cyst of Entamoeba histolytica positive. I took a deworm medicine the same day.please is it safe to deworm again in a week interval.
You are not supposed to do self treatment in this case. Seek your family physician’s help/advice.
S/he may prescribe you Metronidazole 750 mg three times a day orally, for 5 to 10 days FOLLOWED BY Paromomycin 30 mg/kg/day orally in 3 equal doses for 5 to 10 days or Diloxanide furoate 500 mg 3 times a day orally for 10 days, to eradicate lumenal amoebae and prevent relapse. Paromomycin (Humatin) is the luminal drug of choice if Diloxanide furoate (Furamide) is not available in your country.
Paromomycin (Humatin) should be used with caution in patients with colitis, as it is both nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Absorption through the damaged wall of the intestinal tract can result in permanent hearing loss and kidney damage. THAT’S WHY YOU ARE RECOMMENDED TO SEEK A DOCTOR’S GUIDANCE AND NOT TO DO SELF TREATMENT.
Reference: Wikipedia.
I have been very sick for about 3 years. It started with migraines, then joint aches, then neuropathy in my legs, then severe food allergies and now I am folate deficient and I am loosing weight at an alarming rate. My doctors have been no help. It finally occurred to me my health issues all started after some travel to Thailand and Bali. I was thinking maybe I picked up a parasite. So I looked at my stool and it is not normal! I mentioned it to my doctor the other day and she prescribed Albendazole. I am going to pick up the medicine tomorrow but I’m wondering if I should take it with out even being tested to see if that is really what is wrong with me. Or maybe just taking it can’t hurt?
Without a stool test, dewormer can be taken as a prophylactic measure, whether the worms exist or not. A stool test should reveal the existence of worms/eggs/larvae etc. if there are any. Test the stool at a lab if you are skeptical.
There’s a belief here in the philippines that we should do dewormings while we are hungry. Is that correct?
May be you people believe that the worms too would be hungry by then! ;)
There is no pertinence for this belief.
Hello Raj,
My is month son Tommy is so big, he doesn’t want to take any other thing apart from his milk. He throws up from time to time. He picks up stuff from the ground to eat a .He is still a big boy tho. My mom says he needs to be dewormed. Do you think so?
The deworming interval mentioned above applies to every family with a child, for the child to grow properly, irrespective of its activities.
You haven’t mentioned the age of your son. Anyway, for other problems regarding your son, a pediatrician could help you out. If you haven’t sought medical advice so far regarding his problems, seek a pediatrician’s help immediately.
Is it necessary to take a laxative tablet also when we take a deworming tablet Zeeband 400(Albedozole)?
No. It is a myth.
How can we really tell we got rid of them (pinworms)? And if they are crushed by the medicine inside the intestins, then how long do the remaining inner eggs of these adult crushed worms, stay under the form of eggs inside us (knowing that in ultimate conditions it takes them 6 hours only to hatch on anal area)? How long then does it take them to hatch INSIDE our system? And I don’t mean how long till they become adults but how long do they stay under the form of an egg inside till they just hatch into small still young worms? How can it be possible recovery exists at all while when taking the medicine, we consider the fact that if only blowing a wind might get inner eggs of ex adult crushed worms unto clean underwear on showered body, by turn one visit to toilet to pee (during the day) might let eggs fall off everywhere and spread? (Or am I mistaken?). The practicality in avoiding these eggs is very difficilt in these situations! Or are my point of views concerning all this wrong? I eagerly need ur opinion since my family and I have suffered from it but can’t tell any more how this irritating disease really functions any more. And also how can we tell if we got the ones that take 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks or 13 weeks before we detect them? So hectic to live afraid.
Yes, pinworm is extremely contagious. Find the lifecycle and other details here. That page should impart you enough knowledge on the subject. You need to break the life cycle. Maintaining hygiene is the most important task.
A negative stool test should give you peace of mind; however, it should be an untiring war until then.
Thank you for your reply but I still got an important question to which I still got no answer nowhere! How long does it take for embryonated eggs to become SMALL early stage worms (max. time), INSIDE the body, as a result of older adult pregnant females being crushed by medicine, leaving them behind?! I hope I can get an answer to this. Thank you in advance
Dear Raj,
Since the day I was born I have never been dewormed. I am now 28. I feel fine and healthy. Please do think I should start deworming myself every year?
Great article. Thanks in advance
Hi Raj
I give my 2yr old son worm expellants every 3months. Cos he always has smtin in his mouth,from shoes to toys,his hands name it. Is it 2much? N i also deworm myself like thrice a yr. Just wondering if its 2much?
Doesn’t seem too much. WHO itself says to deworm at least once every six months; frequency can be increased as deemed necessary.
hi raj,im 41 years old i go to the doctor because of itchy anus specially at bedtime and i fell it there is moving.the advise to undergo stool test and the doctor priscribe me a mebendazole(vermox) after a few months again im suffering until now.can you give some advise???
Your doctor would be the best person to guide you, since your whole family may have got infected.
First of all, your whole family needs to adopt good hygiene and sanitation practices.
Deworm the whole family twice, at 15 days’ interval for the first time to break the life cycle of the worms. Confirm the members are free of any parasite with stool test. If not, repeat.
Thereafter deworm once in six months at least or as deemed necessary, guided by your physician.
All of this applies to your whole family.
it would be more effective if i take 2 tablet of vermox?
Wonderful question; something like “May I take 2 tablets for headache, one for the headache that I am having now and another as a prophylactic measure for a headache that I may incur two weeks later?” or “will it stop the headaches altogether hereafter if I take two tablets now?”
Understand this fact: If you take albendazole 400 mg now, it will eliminate all the live worms in your intestine. Now there may be eggs left back in your digestive system (because eggs don’t consume food or the albendazole that you have taken) or larvae in your bloodstream that are not destroyed by the albendazole. It will take another 15-21 days for them to develop to worms. So you have to take the second dose at 15-21 days after taking the first dose.
Hope it’s clear now.
mebendazole and albendazole is the same?which is better??
1.) Nope. Different.
2.) It depends on the type of infection; however, in clinical trials, albendazole is overall found more effective. Read here: https://goo.gl/PQp3EL
What can I buy without a prescription to treat and remove whipworm for my family.
Is it advisable to deworm once every month
But why?
My 4year old son suffers from chronic pain in his backside. It seems to start at night and sometimes he is unable to sleep at night due to the pain. This is happening from the time he was 2yrs old. I have consulted many pediatricians and he seems to get better 4days after taking deworming medicine. I last gave him deworming medicine ABD on 1st Nov and 14th Nov and he was fine till yesterday. He is complaining about the pain again today. I am confused as to what to do. How often can I give my son deworming medicine? It pains to see him suffer so often. Please suggest
I am not a doctor, hence helpless. Only a doctor can rule out causes one by one, for which s/he may order a few tests. So stick with one good doctor and keep following up. If you keep on changing the doctor, no one can come to a fair conclusion, and you may be doing injustice to your child as well.
What was the diagnosis actually? Did any doctor say the pain was because of the worms? Is it psychologic/fear?
Hi ,please my appetite increased so badly,i eat whatever i see and still no growth at all ,i cant remeber if i have ever dewormed,am i expected to deworm?
I live in the US and my 11 yr old has pinworm. The Dr. gave an Rx for albazole. When I got to the pharmacy they said it would be $1500. So we went with OTC for the entire family. Does that stuff work?? What are my options?
hi
what i want know is the time being it mornings or (evenings as they normally say)
Hi. Kindly confirm to me if worm infestation can seriously affect sexual performance and more so on the quality of ones semen.
Worm infestation can lead to poor availability of nutrients and hence anemia, lethargy, poor stamina and overall poor general health which could lead to the concern you have expressed.
I have similar issue like the ones I have read here. But on the other hand, I want to know if repeated stomach loud noise at interval of one, one minute is a sign of the presence of worms in the system. Thanks, Anthony, Istanbul.
Hi Raj,
I have dewormed a month ago but i continue to spit and have itching in my throat. I also have skin rashes should i deworm again??
Couple of other possibilities too.
1.) Skin rashes could be fungal infection, allergy etc.
2.) Throat itch could be due to infection or ulcer.
If the previous deworming was because of parasite infection, the life cycle of the parasite needs to be broken by further taking the deworming medicine at 15-21 days apart, 1 or 2 times more.
Once you take the albendazile, How long does it take for the deworming medicine to take affect or kill these worms?
Overnight.
over 30 years I de- wormed last. I could see the effects of failure to do so in my life. But recently(precisely, last week) I de-wormed with combantrin, so when next should I de – worm
Hi Raj, are you based in the UK? if so where, please. Also, is there a tablet for all types of worms, please. I am in Asia at the moment but will be in the UK in a month’s time, so useless trying to buy online. Thank you for your above info and help on this matter.
I live in India.
Mebendazole (trade names Vermox, Ovex) is the most commonly used medicine for worms in the UK. This is because it is used to treat threadworms which are the most common worm infections in the UK. Mebendazole is also used to treat roundworm, whipworm and hookworm infections. Try if you can get it over the counter (OTC) in UK or consult your primary physician. FYI: You can get it OTC in Asia.