Letters

It's worm medicine time again!

Dear Ms McDaniel,

I read your article in the September 1 Gleaner and realised that as an adult in my early 40s, I haven't had a 'worm-out' since primary school days. Should adults do worm-outs and how often?

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading and for your question. I cannot say for sure whether you have worm infestation. In fact, the only sure ways of knowing is if you see the critters in your faeces or if your doctor orders a laboratory test of your stool which turns up positive results.

You could also check symptoms like itchy anus (especially at nights), coughing, diarrhoea, fatigue, abdominal pain and loss of appetite which may indicate that there are worms present.

Increased likelihood of having worms

However, I can say that living in a tropical country like Jamaica, where many of us walk barefooted, and where people wear outdoor shoes indoors, and sometimes drink unsafe water, there is an increased likelihood of someone having worms than if they lived elsewhere and have safer habits.

Outside of all that, many of us routinely de-worm ourselves about once or twice per year, just in case we have worms. Most worm medicines are available here without a prescription, an indication that they are not likely to be harmful when taken as directed on the packet.

A good idea is to get a worm medication which kills many types of worms, so you increase the chance of eradicating the type you may have. Some of them are pleasant tasting and require that you take one single dose. Price of worm medicines is also affordable for most of our pockets.

If you have serious health challenges, however, it is best that you speak with your medical doctor before taking these or any other products.

- Dahlia McDaniel

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.