What Does Deworming Do to the Human Body?

Introduction

Deworming treatments eliminate parasitic worms from the body. Parasitic worms can inhabit the intestines and cause various issues such as malnutrition due to the worms taking nutrients.

Worms can also damage the intestines and cause digestive issues. Deworming treatments assist the body in eliminating the worms and help recover from the damage caused.

Treatment duration can vary from a single dose to multiple days of treatment. Symptoms of digestive issues and malnutrition can improve after the worms are eliminated and the body can begin to recover from the damage caused.

For a better understanding of how deworming treatments work, what effects they can have on the body, and what the potential side effects can be, continue reading

How Does Deworming Work?

Deworming medications work by interrupting essential processes required by parasitic worms for their survival.

• Medications can also negatively affect the muscle function of worms. The most common medications are albendazole and mebendazole.
• These medications are used to treat roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infections. The appropriate medication and treatment duration depends on the type of parasite involved.
• Once treatment is complete, the worms can die, become immobilized, or lose their ability to reside in the intestine. The body can then eliminate them via bowel movement. You may notice worms in your stool, but not in all cases.

The duration of treatment for many intestinal worm infections is one to three days. However, there are other infections that may require treatment for a longer duration.

What Happens to Your Body After Deworming?

There are different ways your body can react to deworming treatment based on the severity of your infection and your overall health.

Your Body Eliminates Parasitic Worms

• There are many ways intestinal worms can infect the body. Once parasitic worms begin to die off because of treatment, there will be a decline in the number of living worms.
• Infections can sometimes cause damage to the intestine, and lead to loss of nutrients. Complete elimination of worms leads to cessation of damage, and nutrient loss.
• In case symptoms persist after treatment, it is important for the healthcare provider to order additional tests in order to identify the cause of symptoms and provide further treatment.

Digestive Symptoms May Improve

Intestinal worms can cause digestive symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and appetite loss. Infections that are heavy and long-standing can cause the intestine to be damaged, which may lead to the inability to absorb digested food and nutrients.

• When worms are successfully eliminated, some of these digestive symptoms and loss of appetite may improve.
• There are other factors that may cause abdominal pain and loss of appetite, so if symptoms worsen or persist, consult your doctor.

Nutrient Absorption Can Improve

Hookworms can damage the intestine and cause bleeding, resulting in iron loss and anemia. Other worms can damage the intestine and result in loss of absorption of nutrients.

• Treatment is aimed at removing the infection, to alleviate symptoms and allow the body to start repairing. Depending on the level of anemia, treatment would include nutritional management, the correction of other nutritional deficiencies (vitamin and mineral supplements, especially iron), as well as other possible medical interventions.
• Deworming will not automatically solve anemia and malnutrition. People with significant anemias and nutritional deficiencies may require additional medical attention and follow-up tests.

Energy Levels May Gradually Return

Chronic fatigue and weakness may be attributed to loss of blood, due to anemia, and/or poor nutrition. Other symptoms of chronic infection may include: slow growth, lack of development, poor weight gain and/or loss of weight and deterioration of general health status.

• For some people, these improve after successful treatment of the infection. This may also include an improvement in appetite and overall energy levels.
• The treatment of infection does not however improve anemia and fatigue caused by other conditions. If you are still feeling fatigued, consult a healthcare practitioner for further diagnosis.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Deworming?

Most of the time, people do not have significant issues with the medicine they are prescribed.

Temporary side effects of the medicine may include:

• Feeling tired or weak
• Stomach upset, pain or cramping
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache

These side effects may last for a short period of time.

Other causes of side effects may be that the worms are dying.

To help with any side effects, follow the directions that your doctor or pharmacist gave you.

Let your doctor know about any problems that you think are caused by the medicine.

• Allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or face, hives) require immediate medical attention.
• Children, pregnant people and those with other medical conditions should talk to their doctor before taking deworming medicine.

How Do You Know If You Need Deworming?

The symptoms of intestinal worms can vary. Some people don’t have any symptoms. Possible symptoms may include:

• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss for no reason
• Tiredness and weakness
• Having worms in your stool
• Itching around the anus
• Having anemia

Some other health conditions can cause the same symptoms. A healthcare worker can decide if you need further testing and if you should give a stool sample.

How Can You Prevent Worm Infections After Deworming?

Deworming will only get rid of the worms in your body at the time you take the medicine. Getting reinfected is possible if you come in contact with the same infected environment. To avoid this:

• Wash your hands with soap before you eat
• Wash your hands after you use the toilet
• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
• Drink only clean water.
• Avoid contact with fecal matter and maintain proper sanitation.
• Avoid contact with contaminated soil. Wear protective footwear if working in contaminated soil.
• Follow suggested programs for deworming, if you reside in an area where intestinal worms are prevalent.

Deworming programs may be implemented for populations in areas of high worm prevalence.

Final Thoughts

Deworming allows for the human body to eliminate certain parasitic worms and begin the healing process to reverse the damage caused by the infection.

The effectiveness of the treatment depends on the parasite, and the medicine used to treat the infection. Correct diagnosis, good hygiene, and the prevention of reinfection are the keys to successful treatment.

If you continue experiencing symptoms after treatment for worm infection, consult a doctor for an appropriate evaluation.

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO): Soil-transmitted helminth infections

2. MedlinePlus: Albendazole: Uses and Side Effects