Taking medication against parasites once a year is not a general medical requirement, according to Dr. Mariana Sobral. Whether treatment is appropriate depends on the parasite, a person’s symptoms, age and clinical assessment, she said in an interview with Observador.
People often use “deworming” to mean treatment for intestinal worms, but different parasites require different medicines. Symptoms such as bloating, gas and diarrhoea can also have causes unrelated to parasites, so medical assessment—and, in some cases, tests—may be needed before treatment.
One symptom that can warrant evaluation is itching around the anus, particularly at night. Other signs to consider include unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, anaemia that does not respond to medication, or symptoms after travel to areas where there may be a risk of infection. Travel and exposure to unsafe drinking water may also inform whether tests are needed, Sobral said; test results should be interpreted alongside the clinical picture.
If a child is diagnosed with worms, treating other family members may also be necessary because the infection can spread easily. Sobral stressed that transmission is not necessarily linked to poor hygiene.
For most people with no symptoms and no specific exposure, there is no automatic reason to take antiparasitic medication each year. Sobral also cautioned against self-medicating and said treatment for pets should not be confused with treatment for people.
Sources: Observador.