This is the ideal DATE to deworm

Health care also includes deworming , but how often should it be done and why? Here's the scoop .

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) is urging the public to undergo deworming every six months to prevent infections and conditions such as weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, and anemia .

Miguel Ángel Hernández Hernández, head of Family Medicine Unit (UMF) No. 28 at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), noted that parasites primarily affect children and adolescents and present themselves in a variety of ways. By absorbing large amounts of nutrients, such as iron, they can cause diseases that require treatment by a family doctor .

"Currently, we see families living with pets, usually dogs and cats, which carry certain parasites. Not only is it important to monitor the people, but we also need to prioritize the pets, as they must be monitored," he said.

The specialist noted that deworming eliminates parasites from the body and is used to prevent and treat infections, as well as to reduce the risk of complications from intestinal diseases .

"To prevent the spread of parasites, we can take very practical and easy measures that we can adopt within our families, such as washing our hands correctly, trimming and cleaning our nails, disinfecting food we consume, avoiding street food, and using and drinking treated water," he indicated.

Parasites are classified based on where they live and reproduce in the body, whether inside or outside the body. There are phytoparasites, such as lice, that live outside our bodies; on the other hand, there are ectoparasites, such as worms, that develop within the digestive system and cause infections and stomach upsets .

Social Security has programs like PrevenIMSS for assisted deworming, either preventively or through assisted treatment to counteract the ailments. It also offers members information on parasite prevention and free deworming treatments through various health campaigns.

With information from the IMSS

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