One Simple Pill: De-worming the World by Kat ie Pace, Helminthes. It sounds like a character out of a poorly written book that wants you to struggle with the pronunciation. Worms, now we all know what that means. Or do we? It?s not extremely common in the United States to hear that a child has worms, our pets, yes frequently ? but not our children. You might think that a worm isn?t a big deal, but in the developing world it can take a severe toll on a child?s most formative years.
Soil-transmitted helminthes, or the parasite so commonly called worms is one of the most common infections in developing countries. It can cause children to suffer from internal bleeding, causing anemia, it inhibits the absorption of vital nutrients, causes diarrhea, severe stomach pain, loss of appetite and itchy scaly rashes caused by secretions and waste that the worms release into the body. Children with worms often suffer from nutritional impairments and pain that causes them to lose focus at school. These tiny little worms can negatively impact a child?s growth and development and take away their energy levels. Helminthes are on the WHO?s list of 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). NTD?s are a group of chronic disabling infections that affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, mainly in Africa and people living in remote rural areas, urban slums and conflict zones. So how do children get worms in the first place? Poor water and sanitation, which includes feces contaminating the soil and transmitting the eggs right into the feet of children who are barefoot. There are approximately two billion people worldwide that are infected with soil-transmitted helminthes. If you?ve never had a parasite inside of you, it?s quite painful. Even as an American with substantial access to healthcare, worms can be debilitating. So image this in a child that can?t receive treatment or relief from the pain and diarrhea.
