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Amoebiasis
Signs and symptoms:
Abdominal cramps accompanied with diarrhoea, with mucus and
blood in the stools. If the infection spreads to the liver, an
abscess will form, causing the liver to become painfully
enlarged, and the patient will experience chills and fever with
a loss of appetite.
Means of transmission:
The disease is spread via food and water that has been
contaminated by flies carrying the germ from human faeces.
Treatment:
- Early diagnosis is essential, for the correct treatment to
be administered.
- Strict hygiene measures should be followed, and all
vegetables well washed before consumption.
Head Lice
Signs and symptoms:
Scalp will be extremely itchy, with bite marks sometimes being
noticed. Tiny white eggs will be attached onto individual hairs,
which are very difficult to remove.
Means of transmission:
Highly contagious and easily spread among family members and
schools.
Treatment:
- Consult your doctor or pharmacist for a special spray or
shampoo.
- The whole family and ideally school classmates should be
treated.
- After shampooing, try and remove the remaining nits with a
fine-toothed comb.
Hookworm
Signs and symptoms:
Red itchy patches may be noticed at the site where the larvae
made their entrance - usually on the feet. Fever and coughing
may be experienced once they have travelled into the lung area.
Moving up to the windpipe, they are swallowed, and once in the
intestine they develop into adult worms, feeding on blood.
Abdominal pain, constipation, anaemia and fatigue are common
signs of infestation.
Means of transmission:
Coming into contact with infected sand.
Treatment:
- Iron supplements, a diet high in protein and the
appropriate medicine to eliminate the worms will correct the
problem.
Maggot Fly
Signs and symptoms:
Inflamed sores, with a yellow head that are similar in
appearance to boils. Once opened a maggot will be seen.
Means of transmission:
The flies lay their eggs in damp washing, and once hatched,
burrow their way under the skin.
Treatment:
- Wash nappies in hot water and iron if possible.
- Applying Vaseline to the affected site, will usually cause
the maggot to emerge.
- The area will heal quickly, but it is advisable to apply
an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection.
Malaria
Signs and symptoms:
Severe headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and shivering attacks
followed by a fever. Once in the bloodstream they destruct the
red blood cells.
Means of transmission:
Malaria parasites are transmitted by bites of infected female
mosquitoes, who suck the blood of an infected person, and then
pass it on the next time it bites.
Treatment:
- A doctor should be consulted as soon as malaria is
suspected.
- Blood samples will be taken and the correct medicine
prescribed.
Pin/Thread Worm
Signs and symptoms:
Patient will complain of severe itching around the anus,
especially at night, as this is when the female emerges to lay
her eggs.
Means of transmission:
This can occur in all areas, and children become infested
through swallowing or inhaling eggs.
Treatment:
- Treat the whole family with a medicine to rid worms, even
if they do not show any symptoms.
- Prevent the child from scratching the anus, as eggs will
be caught under the nails and re-infection will occur.
- Remove the eggs laid during the night by a morning wash.
Pork and Beef Tapeworm
Signs and symptoms:
Abdominal pain, weight loss, hunger and nausea are common
symptoms. Pieces of the worm may be present in the stool.
Means of transmission:
Consuming undercooked beef and pork.
Treatment:
- Appropriate medicinal treatment is effective, but may need
a follow-up dose.
- Be sure to thoroughly cook all pork and beef dishes.
Roundworm
Signs and symptoms:
The first stage of the worm's development occurs in the lungs,
causing the patient to cough and feel generally ill. On entering
the intestine, abdominal pain will be experienced. The worms may
be eliminated through the mouth, nose or stools.
Means of transmission:
Coming into contact with any sand, grass, dogs faeces or
surfaces that harbour the eggs.
Treatment:
- Children are prone to roundworm infestation, as it can easily be
picked up through general playing on the grass, so don't think
that even though you follow a strict hygiene routine that your
child is immune.
- Treat the whole family and pets with the correct medication.
Whipworm
Signs and symptoms:
Nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea with blood-stained stools
are all signs.
Means of transmission:
Eggs are usually swallowed after the child has been playing in
infected soil, after which she puts her fingers in her mouth.
Treatment:
- Strict hygiene measures should be followed, with frequent
washing of the hands.
- Responds well to appropriate treatment.
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