Page 149 - Health, Population and Environment Education 10

c. Roundworm Infection or Ascariasis
Roundworm infestation is a food and water borne disease.
It is a disease of intestine. Roundworm infestation includes
the infection with hookworm and Ascaris. Roundworm
infestation generally occurs for two months.
Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) is a large-sized worm.
It is found in anterior portion of small intestine, i.e.
dueodenum. The length of a roundworm varies from 20
cm to 30 cm. Female roundworm is longer and thicker than
the male. The eggs of roundworm enter the digestive tract Fig: 9 Ascaris
through contaminated food and water.
Roundworm is a unisexual animal. The female roundworm lays more than two lakh eggs
in a day.
Unhealthy lifestyle, unhygienic feeding habits and consumption of contaminated food
and drinks are major causes of roundworm infection.

Major Symptoms

i. Abdominal pain
ii. Digestive disorder
iii. Nausea
iv. Vomiting
v. Loss of appetite
vi. Appearance of roundworms in stool
vii. Coughing
viii. Sometimes small worms may come out while vomiting

Preventive and Control Measures
i. Hands should be washed properly with soap and water after visiting toilet and before
having food.
ii. Raw foods should be washed properly before consumption.
iii. Defecation on open fields and near the sources of water should be avoided.

iv. We should defecate only in toilet.
v. Consumption of contaminated food and drinks should be avoided.
vii. Water should be boiled and filtered before drinking.

Causes of the Diseases That are Transmitted Through Contaminated Food and Water
i. Defecation on open fields and near the sources of water
ii. Improper disposal of household wastes

GREEN Health, Population and Environment Education Book-10 149