Worming Not Only Attacks Children, Adults Can Also Be Infected

JAKARTA - Many people think that worms are only experienced by children. In fact, adults can experience it, especially those who often come into direct contact with the soil while working or doing activities.

Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (FKUI-RSCM), Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, SpPD-KGEH, explained that the journey of worm infection in adults is the same as in children.

A roundworm can enter the body through dirty hands while eating. Meanwhile, mine worms can penetrate the skin of the feet and enter the bloodstream when a person works without footwear or protection," he was quoted as saying by ANTARA.

Ari added that worms that enter the body can cause disturbances to the fine intestines so that the sufferer feels uncomfortable, such as bloating or bulging stomachs. In certain cases, the worm larvae can even migrate to the lungs and cause respiratory problems, or enter the bile channel, causing blockage.

Symptoms of deworming in adults can also be characterized by vomiting that contains worms or the discovery of worms. If this condition is not treated immediately, infection can continue to be a serious complication in other organs, even at risk of causing death.

To prevent this, Ari suggested that people who already have a history of deworming immediately take worm medicine so that the remaining parasites in the body can be turned off.

"In general, there is no problem if worm medicine is consumed regularly every six months. Case checks can also be carried out once a year, especially during medical check-ups, to ensure whether or not there are worm eggs," he explained.

In addition, Ari reminded the importance of maintaining body hygiene. Washing hands and feet after working or playing on the ground, and using personal protective equipment when in contact with the ground, is a simple but effective step to prevent the entry of worm eggs into the body.