{"id":6468,"date":"2025-01-04T02:56:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T02:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/?p=6468"},"modified":"2025-01-04T16:39:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T16:39:11","slug":"deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Deworming Twice Every 6 Months Matters: Promoting Better Health in the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#What_is_deworming\" title=\"What is deworming?\">What is deworming?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#Who_should_be_dewormed\" title=\"Who should be dewormed?\">Who should be dewormed?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#What_are_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections\" title=\"What are soil-transmitted helminth infections?\">What are soil-transmitted helminth infections?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_does_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections_affect_your_body\" title=\"How does soil-transmitted helminth infections affect your body?\">How does soil-transmitted helminth infections affect your body?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#Soil-transmitted_helminth_infections_in_the_Philippines\" title=\"Soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Philippines\">Soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Philippines<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_is_Deworming_Month_Observed_in_the_Philippines\" title=\"How is Deworming Month Observed in the Philippines?\">How is Deworming Month Observed in the Philippines?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#DOH_Administrative_Order_No_176_-_S_2004\" title=\"DOH Administrative Order No. 176 &#8211; S. 2004\">DOH Administrative Order No. 176 &#8211; S. 2004<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#DOH_Administrative_Order_No_2010-0023\" title=\"DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0023\">DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0023<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#What_intestinal_worms_are_found_in_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections\" title=\"What intestinal worms are found in soil-transmitted helminth infections?\">What intestinal worms are found in soil-transmitted helminth infections?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_does_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection_spread\" title=\"How does soil-transmitted helminth infection spread?\">How does soil-transmitted helminth infection spread?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#What_are_the_symptoms_of_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\" title=\"What are the symptoms of soil-transmitted helminth infection?\">What are the symptoms of soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_is_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection_diagnosed\" title=\"How is soil-transmitted helminth infection diagnosed?\">How is soil-transmitted helminth infection diagnosed?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#Whats_the_cure_for_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\" title=\"What\u2019s the cure for soil-transmitted helminth infection?\">What\u2019s the cure for soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_to_prevent_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\" title=\"How to prevent soil-transmitted helminth infection?\">How to prevent soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/deworming-twice-better-health-in-the-philippines\/#How_vitamin_A_and_deworming_work_hand_in_hand_in_fighting_STH_infections\" title=\"How vitamin A and deworming work hand in hand in fighting STH infections\">How vitamin A and deworming work hand in hand in fighting STH infections<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_deworming\"><\/span><b>What is deworming?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As defined by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicinenet.com\/how_often_should_you_deworm\/article.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MedicineNet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, deworming is the process of eliminating intestinal parasites, such as worms, using medication. It is recommended to be done twice a year, or every six months, due to soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections that can infect both adults and children.\u00a0<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_should_be_dewormed\"><\/span><b>Who should be dewormed?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/tools\/elena\/interventions\/deworming#:~:text=WHO%20Recommendations,of%20soil%2Dtransmitted%20helminth%20infection.&amp;text=Biannual%20administration%20is%20recommended%20where,prevalence%20is%20more%20than%2050%25.&amp;text=A%20half%2Ddose%20of%20albendazole,than%2024%20months%20of%20age.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Health Organization (WHO)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommends the following age group to be dewormed as a preventive measure against intestinal parasites:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young children (12 \u2013 23 months of age)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preschool children (1 \u2013 4 years of age)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School-age children (5 \u2013 12 years of age, sometimes up to 14 years old)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adults, especially in certain high-risk occupations such as tea-pickers or miners<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women of reproductive age (including pregnant women in the second and third trimesters and breastfeeding women)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections\"><\/span><b>What are soil-transmitted helminth infections?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soil-transmitted helminth infections are one of the most common infections worldwide, with an estimated 1.5 billion people or 24% of the world\u2019s population being infected according to the data provided by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections#:~:text=Soil%2Dtransmitted%20helminth%20infections%20are,soil%20contamination%20with%20infective%20eggs.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These infections are prevalent in communities that have lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. They are spread via soil that has been contaminated with human feces carrying parasitic eggs \u2014 particularly in tropical and subtropical areas \u2014 with a reported high number of cases found in sub-Saharan Africa, China, South America and Asia.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections_affect_your_body\"><\/span><b>How does soil-transmitted helminth infections affect your body?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s advised to be dewormed because of the several negative effects being infected with soil-transmitted helminth brings to one\u2019s body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If left untreated, they can impact you in these ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of iron and protein<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic intestinal blood loss leading to anemia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin A deficiency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dysentery (diarrhea containing blood or mucus)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Soil-transmitted_helminth_infections_in_the_Philippines\"><\/span><b>Soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Philippines<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">STH infections have always been considered as a public concern in the Philippines since the 1960s. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pidsphil.org\/pdf\/Journal_06302013\/jo44_ja01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">review<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> said that from 1967 to 1983, a study conducted by the former Philippine Ministry of Health through two research laboratories stated that the highest recorded STH infection rampancy was caused by <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trichuris trichiura <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(whipworms) \u2014 and that in 2000 and 2006, two surveys made it apparent that STH infections still persist in the Philippines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2015, another <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lanwpc\/article\/PIIS2666-6065(23)00292-4\/fulltext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was conducted to students aged 5 &#8211; 16 years for STH and it was indicated that the prevalence of roundworms and whipworms was higher in Visayas than it is in Luzon and Mindanao. Hookworms, on the other hand, were said to be more prevalent in Mindanao than the two other islands. It ought to be noted that the risk of being infected with whipworms and hookworms are more common in men, and that it is associated with temperature and rainfall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amidst the country\u2019s battle in fighting off STH infections, the government has initiated programs to help eradicate the further spread of this infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Control Program (STHCP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: launched by DOH through Administrative Order No. 30-F S 1999.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Integrated Helminth Control Program (IHCP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: focused on improving sanitation and personal hygiene, health education and preventive chemotherapy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"flex-shrink-0 flex flex-col relative items-end\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-0\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_Deworming_Month_Observed_in_the_Philippines\"><\/span><strong>How is Deworming Month Observed in the Philippines?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every January and July, the Philippines observes National Deworming Month (NDM) as a determined push to continue protecting children from STH infections, a condition that has detrimental impact on children\u2019s growth and development as expressed by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pna.gov.ph\/articles\/1090708#:~:text=The%20NDM%20is%20done%20by,85%20percent%20of%20the%20target.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ernie Vera<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the DOH-Bicol regional director.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two components of NDM:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>National School-Deworming Month (NSDM<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">): in partnership with Department of Education (DepEd) aims to deworm children in public schools ages 5 &#8211; 18 years old<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Community Based Deworming Month (CBDM)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: targets preschool children ages 1 &#8211; 4 years old and children in various health centers and rural health units under the LGUs that are not enrolled in public schools.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DOH_Administrative_Order_No_176_-_S_2004\"><\/span><b>DOH Administrative Order No. 176 &#8211; S. 2004<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov.ph\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Administrative-Order-No.-176-s.-2004.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administrative Order No. 176 &#8211; S. 2004<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by the Department of Health (DOH) works in addition with Administrative Order No. 30-F S 1999 that provides the guidelines on how to implement soil-transmitted helminthiasis control programs in a regional, provincial, and municipal level. But whereas the latter focuses on implementation, the Administrative Order No. 176 &#8211; S. 2004 ensures the safety of children 12 months and above when they\u2019re being treated with Albendazole and Mebendazole \u2014 the medicines recommended to treat soil-transmitted helminth infections.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s objectives are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reduce the prevalence and\/or intensity of STH after treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To improve the nutritional status of children by improving the Vitamin A absorption<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To decrease the incidence of anemia secondary to hookworm infection or massive trichuriasis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DOH_Administrative_Order_No_2010-0023\"><\/span><b>DOH Administrative Order No. 2010-0023<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Established in 2010 by the DOH, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph\/thebookshelf\/showdocs\/10\/56054#:~:text=Mass%20deworming%20of%201%20to,2006%2D0028.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administrative Order No. 2010-0023<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or the Guidelines on Deworming Drug Administration and the Management of Adverse Events Following Deworming (AEFD) is an order made to guide health workers and providers on what to do in cases that oral deworming drugs have any unexpected reaction, such as documenting and reporting the scenario accurately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s objectives are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administering deworming drugs to different age groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Management of the adverse events following deworming, and AEFD drug of choice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AEFD reporting and recording<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is applied to all national, regional and local offices and stakeholders involved in the deworming program of the DOH.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_intestinal_worms_are_found_in_soil-transmitted_helminth_infections\"><\/span><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6477 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3-300x225.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3-150x113.png 150w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-3.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>What intestinal worms are found in soil-transmitted helminth infections?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three main worm species associated with STH infections, namely:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roundworm (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ascaris lumbricoides<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whipworm (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trichuris trichiura<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hookworms (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">necator americanus<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ancylostoma duodenale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another is <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strongyloides stercoralis,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a type of roundworm parasite that requires different methods in order to be detected, causing it to be harder to identify. Using albendazole or mebendazole for its treatment is also not as effective, therefore preventive treatment campaigns targeting other soil-transmitted helminthiases would not have a significant impact in getting rid of this intestinal parasite.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection_spread\"><\/span><b>How does soil-transmitted helminth infection spread?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the name already suggests, soil-transmitted helminths are transmitted through soil that is contaminated with parasite carrying feces. When these worms mature into adults in your intestine, they can produce up to thousands of eggs everyday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, given that these parasites are found in soil, they can also be spread through these ways:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digested vegetables that are infected with parasitic eggs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ingested water sources that are contaminated with parasitic eggs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children who played in contaminated soil and put their hands on their mouth without washing them<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walking barefoot on soil with mature hookworms that can penetrate the skin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This infection cannot be directly transmitted from one person to another. Parasitic eggs passed in feces also need 3 weeks to mature in the soil before they can be transmittable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_symptoms_of_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\"><\/span><b>What are the symptoms of soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible that STH infection does not show any symptoms for years. This happens when the infection is only light, or when there are only a few worms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, signs and symptoms may still appear, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malaise (feeling of overall weakness)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malnutrition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impaired growth and physical development<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_is_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection_diagnosed\"><\/span><b>How is soil-transmitted helminth infection diagnosed?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To know if you\u2019ve been infected with soil-transmitted helminth, you\u2019d have to submit a stool sample to your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can examine it under one of these methods: microscopy, stool culture, and egg counting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_cure_for_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\"><\/span><b>What\u2019s the cure for soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, there is a cure or treatment for soil-transmitted helminth infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will be prescribed anthelmintic medications, like albendazole and mebendazole, that are proven to be effective, regardless of the parasitic worm infecting you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may be advised to take the mentioned medication for one to three days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_prevent_soil-transmitted_helminth_infection\"><\/span><b>How to prevent soil-transmitted helminth infection?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can prevent yourself or your child from getting an STH infection by deworming twice a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from that, you can do the following steps to ensure that you can avoid being infected, especially if you are in areas where the infection is widespread:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to always wash your hands before eating food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When consuming fruits and vegetables, always wash, peel, or cook them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be aware of where the water you\u2019re drinking is coming from. Always guarantee that it comes from a safe and clean water source.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not come in contact with soil that is contaminated with human feces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always wear shoes when walking on soil. This is in case the soil you\u2019re walking on is contaminated with parasites such as hookworms which can penetrate your skin<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_vitamin_A_and_deworming_work_hand_in_hand_in_fighting_STH_infections\"><\/span><b>How vitamin A and deworming work hand in hand in fighting STH infections<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6489 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5-300x225.png\" alt=\"vitamin a and deworming\" width=\"476\" height=\"357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5-150x113.png 150w, https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Untitled-design-5.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px\" \/>Although vitamin A cannot be used to treat soil-transmitted helminth infections directly, this doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s not significant to a person\u2019s health if they were to take vitamin A supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In their strategy for the control of STH infections worldwide, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections#:~:text=Periodical%20treatment%20aims%20to%20reduce,integrated%20with%20school%20health%20programmes.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mentions the integration of deworming to vitamin A supplementation programmes for preschool children. This addresses the negative impact of STH infections in the body, reducing its vitamin A levels and rendering the person more susceptible to conditions like vision loss and complications related to their skin, heart, lungs, and immune system.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/products\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getmeds\u2019 online pharmacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they offer <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OTC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> products to combat vitamin A deficiency. Among the supplements they offer, here are what you can order that contain vitamin A:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/vitamins\/multivitamins-minerals\/vitamin-a-softgel-200000-iu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin A Softgel 200,000 IU<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multivitamins: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/stresstabs\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stresstabs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/vitamins\/multivitamins-minerals\/centrum-advance-mg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centrum Advance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/vitamins\/womens-health\/obimin-plus-mg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obimin Plus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/vitamins\/multivitamins-minerals\/multilem-500-mg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multilem<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/over-the-counter\/vitamins\/multivitamins-minerals\/vitasaph-60-ml\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitasaph<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is deworming? As defined by MedicineNet, deworming is the process of eliminating intestinal parasites, such as worms, using medication. It is recommended to be done twice a year, or every six months, due to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-trending"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6468"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6491,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6468\/revisions\/6491"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getmeds.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}