Statistics from the WHO indicate that last year, about 1.5 billion people globally were at risk of contracting soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections — or roundworms. About 270 million pre-school children and 600 million children of school-age live in areas where these parasites are intensively transmitted. India accounts for a quarter of the world’s STH-infected children; 64% of them are younger than 14 years.
Open defecation, contaminated soil and water, uncooked food, and not following basic hygiene are the main reasons for transmission. If undiagnosed, the worms persist in the body and lay thousands of eggs every day. These cause a decline in iron, protein and Vitamin A levels, leading to anemia, a lower appetite, malnutrition, and diarrhoea. Tips from Heart Care Foundation of India:
Respiratory hygiene is important to prevent cross infection. Keep a minimum distance of 3 feet, from a person who is coughing, sneezing or singing.
Hand hygiene is the fundamental principle for any disease prevention.
Food hygiene means maintaining hygiene at home while cutting, serving and eating food.
Water hygiene involves drinking safe water and not washing multiple glasses in the same utensil.
Nail hygiene is important especially for food handlers, because they are responsible for water and food disease.
