Intestinal Worms: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as worm infestation, stomach worms.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Intestinal worms — such as roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm — are common in Nigeria, especially in children, and spread through contaminated soil, food or water. Many infections cause few symptoms but can quietly lead to poor growth and anaemia. Routine deworming is recommended for school-age children.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain or bloating
Itching around the anus, especially at night
Worms visible in stool
Poor appetite or weight loss
Tiredness or paleness (anaemia)
Poor growth in children
Causes & risk factors
Eating with unwashed hands or eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
Walking barefoot on contaminated soil (hookworm)
Drinking unsafe water
Undercooked meat (tapeworm)
Treatment & self-care
Treatment is a short course of deworming tablets prescribed or recommended by a clinician, often repeated for the whole household. Handwashing, wearing footwear, washing produce and using safe water prevent reinfection. Children in many areas benefit from deworming every six months as advised.
See a doctor urgently if
Severe abdominal pain or vomiting
Worms vomited up or a swollen abdomen in a child
Persistent diarrhoea or blood in stool
Marked weight loss or paleness
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Intestinal Worms?
Early signs often include abdominal pain or bloating, itching around the anus, especially at night, worms visible in stool. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Intestinal Worms be treated?
Treatment is a short course of deworming tablets prescribed or recommended by a clinician, often repeated for the whole household. Handwashing, wearing footwear, washing produce and using safe water prevent reinfection. Children in many areas benefit from deworming every six months as advised.
When should I see a doctor about Intestinal Worms?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: severe abdominal pain or vomiting; worms vomited up or a swollen abdomen in a child; persistent diarrhoea or blood in stool; marked weight loss or paleness.