Roundworms pierce the appendix of a 2-year-old child.

The child was at an eye exam when he suddenly developed abdominal pain. The doctor examined him and determined that roundworms had perforated his appendix.

Illustrative image.

The child, who was malnourished and weighed only 7 kg at the age of two, was brought by her family from Son La to Saint Paul Hospital (Hanoi) for an eye examination. She suddenly experienced abdominal pain, was diagnosed with appendicitis, and underwent surgery on the evening of September 29th.

According to Dr. Nguyen Dinh Hung, Director of the hospital, during the surgery, doctors discovered that the child's appendix had been perforated by roundworms, causing fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity and resulting in infection. The surgical team removed the appendix and cleaned the abdominal cavity...

According to the National Institute of Malaria, Parasitology and Entomology, 50% of Vietnamese people may be infected with worms, mostly children and schoolchildren.Parasitic worm infections cause many harmful effects such as anemia, micronutrient deficiencies, and malnutrition; more serious consequences include cholangitis, acute pancreatitis, and intestinal obstruction.

Worms can be contracted through food and drink, dirty hands, unsanitary water sources, daily activities involving direct contact with the soil environment, and even through polluted air...People should proactively deworm themselves at least every six months.For children over one year old, parents can deworm them using medications with a pleasant taste.Common measures to prevent worm infestations include maintaining a clean living environment, only eating cooked food, washing vegetables under clean running water, and avoiding walking barefoot.

According to VNE