More than 30% of children worldwide are affected by common intestinal parasites. With symptoms that can go unnoticed and effects so insidious when untreated, it’s safe to say that prevention is indeed better than cure for intestinal parasites.

The Department of Health (DOH) implements National Deworming Month with Oplan Goodbye Bulate twice every year in January and July, as part of the efforts in trying to eradicate the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in children throughout the nation. The program urges citizens, particularly parents, to deworm their children, where anti-helminthic drugs are distributed in local government units (LGUs) nationwide for utilization by its citizens.

The DOH seeks to lessen and avoid the proliferation of Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) which are commonly known as “intestinal worms” and are common not only in children but also in expectant mothers, food handlers, farmers, and indigenous groups.

Severe complications are more likely to affect people with compromised immune systems, although when intestinal worms go untreated it can increase someone’s risk for malnutrition, intestinal blockages, and anemia. People who contract intestinal parasites often have mild symptoms that might be shrugged off such as fever, fatigue, sudden weight loss, and diarrhea. Still, if such symptoms persist or worsen, it is best to contact a doctor for proper diagnosis and intervention.

Intestinal parasites may be small, but their effects can cause ripples far greater than their size. The first step in celebrating National Deworming Month is acknowledging the great importance of the health practice it commemorates bears.