There are several types of worms that can cause problems in children, including threadworm, roundworm, tapeworm, whipworm and hookworm. Fortunately, these are rare (except for threadworm) in Australia and New Zealand and are found in regions with a high population density and poor hygiene and sanitation facilities.
Threadworm is the most common worm infection in Australia and New Zealand. For many kids, life is about playing and sharing with other kids - sharing a toy, sharing a high-five or even sharing a hug. And sometimes with sharing, comes worms – it's a natural part of growing up! Kids are always sharing and playing together – at school, at home, on holiday, at sporting events, even at the movies (cue box of popcorn)! Rather than preventing children from having the essential 'sharing experiences' that are so crucial to their development, caregivers can be prepared to stay on top of worms.
All caregiversknow that being prepared for any eventuality is one of the best ways to properly care for and protect their little ones – and when it comes to worm infections, that means knowing the different types of worms, distinguishing threadworm from other types of worm infections, how to spot the symptoms early on, and how best to deal with them, so that your little ones can get back to doing what they do best – sharing, learning, growing and discovering the world.
We've put together a comprehensive guide to the most common types of worm infections - identifying those that are common and also those that are considered rare in Australia and New Zealand, offering tips and advice on how to identify them, what the symptoms might be, and how to treat them effectively.
