Question
On the 7th, a 6-year-old child’s stool was found to contain many moving live worms, with lengths about the width of a fingernail and thickness similar to or slightly thicker than pig hair. On the evening of the 8th, before bedtime, the child took two pills of deworming medication, but by noon on the 11th, many small live worms were still found in the stool. Does this indicate that the deworming treatment was unsuccessful?
Answer
Based on the description, this may be a pinworm infection. It is recommended to visit a hospital for a definitive diagnosis to determine the type of worm. The following are the steps for handling the situation:
- Stay calm and maintain a good mood; do not over-worry. If it is a pinworm infection, oral mebendazole can be taken for three consecutive days, which is usually effective.
- Develop good hygiene habits, wash hands before and after meals and defecation, and avoid the habit of sucking fingers. Regularly trim nails.
- Change underwear frequently, and as soon as possible, have young children wear full pants. Toys, items, and bedding should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- Boil the child’s used underwear and panties to kill eggs and then expose them to sunlight.