Nationwide Deworming- A doctor's advice

Nationwide Deworming

A doctor's advice

Deworming is the giving of an anthelmintic drug to rid it of intestinal parasites. Albendazole is the drug used for many years in our country as broad spectrum anthelmintic. Deworming week began across the country form May 22 and 5-12 age group students of all primary-level educational institutions are given anthelmintic drugs.

Last week this drug was provided to school children of Laxmipur by health authority and many children became sick after ingestion of the drug. The civil surgeon confirmed that drugs were not outdated. Most of the children had headache, vomiting and abdominal pain. After short stay in hospitals, most of them went back home.

Side effects (abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, fever, nausea, vomiting) may occur, but not very common. In rare cases it may cause persistent sore throat, severe headache, seizures, vision problems, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, easy bruising, mental/mood changes, very stiff neck, change in amount of urine. Allergic reactions are also possible.

Deworming by Albendazole is routinely done in our country safe and successfully since last few years. From two years above one single dose is given in every six month. Though occasionally there may be some side effects, but usually they are not so serious. So we can use it for mass deworming in school children. Take care of your kids.

The writer is a Professor of Paediatrics at Community Based Medical College (CMBC), Mymensingh. E-mail: mmukkhan@gmail.com