Determining if dewormer is working effectively can be challenging. Unlike antibiotics that often produce obvious improvement in symptoms, signs that deworming medications are working can be more subtle. However, there are some key things you can look for to get a sense of whether the dewormer is effectively eliminating the parasitic worm infestation.
Look for changes in symptoms
While the effects may not be as dramatic as with other medications, dewormers should produce some improvement in symptoms associated with a worm infestation. Here are some of the key symptoms to look for:
- Decreased abdominal pain or discomfort – Roundworms and hookworms can cause abdominal cramps and discomfort. This should improve with effective deworming.
- Less diarrhea – Worms can irritate the intestines and cause diarrhea. Deworming meds may reduce the frequency of diarrhea.
- Improved appetite – Intestinal worms can suppress appetite. Appetite should return to normal with successful deworming.
- Weight gain – Expulsion of worms will allow people, especially children, to start gaining weight again.
- Reduced anal itching – Threadworms/pinworms cause itching around the anus, which should resolve with deworming meds.
Keep in mind that symptoms may get slightly worse before they get better, as dead worms detach from the intestines and exit the body. So you may notice a temporary increase in abdominal discomfort or diarrhea. But overall symptoms should steadily improve with an effective dewormer.
Check for worms or eggs
One of the most direct ways to confirm that deworming treatment is working is to check the stool for signs of worms. This involves visually inspecting the stool and looking for:
- Live worms in the stool
- Pieces of dead worms
- Eggs from parasitic worms like roundworms, whipworms, or hookworms
A lab can also analyze a stool sample and confirm the absence of worm eggs after deworming treatment. As the medication starts killing off the worms, you may see more worms and eggs initially as they detach and get expelled from the body. But over time, these should disappear from the stool as the infestation clears.
Repeat stool tests
Before starting deworming medication, your doctor may order a stool test to confirm the presence of a parasitic worm infestation. This may involve:
- Microscopic visual exam of the stool sample
- Using a special floatation technique to detect eggs
- DNA/PCR stool analysis to identify worm genetic material
- Sticky tape swab around the anus to check for pinworm eggs
About 2-4 weeks after finishing deworming treatment, you can repeat the same stool analyses. If the tests no longer detect worms or eggs, this provides strong evidence that the dewormer successfully eradicated the infestation.
Improved blood work
Certain worms like hookworms can cause chronic blood loss leading to anemia. Before starting deworming, your doctor may order blood tests to check for:
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Low iron
- High eosinophils (a type of white blood cell)
After effective deworming treatment, these blood markers should return to normal levels, reflecting resolution of the blood loss and inflammation caused by the worms.
Consider repeat dosing
For some stubborn worm infestations, a single course of deworming medication may not completely eliminate all worms. Your doctor may recommend a second dose of the dewormer 2-4 weeks after the initial dose to help clear any remaining worms. If symptoms or stool exam results improve further after repeat dosing, this indicates the dewormer is working but needed the second round to fully resolve the infestation.
Watch for recurrence of symptoms
Observe if symptoms remain resolved in the months following deworming treatment. Parasitic worms have a way of coming back, so recurrence of symptoms like abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or itching around the anus may indicate reinfection.
Contact your doctor if symptoms return shortly after deworming, as it could mean:
- The initial deworming did not fully eliminate the infestation
- There is a source of reinfection that needs to be addressed
- A different worm is causing symptoms that does not respond to the initial medication used
Retreatment may be needed to fully resolve the worm problem.
Consider preventive measures
Deworming provides a fresh start by eliminating existing worm infections. But preventive measures are key to avoid repeating the whole process. Recommended preventive steps include:
- Handwashing with soap and water before eating or handling food
- Avoiding sources of fecal contamination of soil and food
- Washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly
- Proper cooking of meat products
- Daily cleaning of living spaces
- Keeping children’s fingernails short and clean
- Promptly treating infected family members
- Deworming pets and livestock
By combining deworming treatment with preventive hygiene practices, the risk of recurrent worm infections can be minimized.
Conclusion
Evaluating the effectiveness of deworming medication requires looking for overall improvement in symptoms, checking stool for worms or eggs, monitoring blood work, and watching for symptom recurrence. Combining deworming with preventive hygiene practices provides the best protection against these prevalent parasites.
| Signs of Effective Deworming | What it Indicates |
|---|---|
| Decreased abdominal pain/discomfort | Intestinal worms dying and detaching from gut lining |
| Improved appetite | End of worms interfering with nutrition |
| No worms or eggs seen in stool | Successful elimination of worms |
| Normal stool consistency | End of inflammation caused by worms |
| Normal blood work | Resolution of anemia/eosinophilia from worm infection |
| No repeat symptoms | Deworming effectively cleared infection |
Key Points
- Look for reduction in symptoms like abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and itching around the anus.
- Inspect stool for worms or eggs which should decrease over time.
- Get follow up blood work and stool analysis to confirm eradication of worms.
- Make sure symptoms don’t return shortly after treatment.
- Implement preventive hygiene measures to avoid reinfection.
Evaluating deworming effectiveness takes some patience and diligence. But combining medication with preventive hygiene offers the best chance of ridding yourself of intestinal worms and keeping them away for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for deworming medicine to work?
Most deworming medications begin working right away, but it can take days or weeks to fully clear an intestinal worm infestation. You may see dead worms and eggs passed in the stool within 24-48 hours. But it can take up to 2-4 weeks to fully expel all worms from the intestines.
Can you still see worms after deworming?
Yes, you can still see worms in the stool after deworming. As medication begins killing worms, you may temporarily see more worms passing through or visible in bowel movements as they detach from intestinal walls. But stool exams should eventually show reduction and elimination of worms with successful deworming.
How do you get rid of worms naturally?
Some natural remedies thought to help expel worms include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Papaya seeds
- Garlic
- Carrots
- Pomegranate
- Diatomaceous earth
- Black walnut hulls
- Coconut oil
However, there is limited evidence that these treatments alone fully eliminate a worm infection. They are best combined with prescription deworming medication.
What happens if you don’t deworm a dog?
Deworming is important for dogs because intestinal worms can cause serious health problems including:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Dull coat
- Coughing
- Intestinal blockages
- Anemia
- Collapse from migration of large numbers of worms
Worm eggs passed in dog feces can also pose a risk of human infection. Puppies should be dewormed starting at 2 weeks old and then regularly to control worms.
How often should you deworm?
For adults, deworming is generally only needed if worm infection is suspected based on symptoms or stool testing. Children in endemic areas may need deworming every 6 to 12 months. Pregnant women should be dewormed after first trimester. Deworming frequency varies based on environment, hygiene, occupation, travel, and medical condition. Consult your doctor for optimal deworming schedule.
What kills worms instantly?
No dewormer instantly kills all worms. Effective prescription deworming medications like albendazole, mebendazole, and ivermectin begin killing worms quickly but can take days or weeks to fully clear an intestinal worm infestation. Combination therapy with different antiparasitic medications may be used for severe cases.
Conclusion
Assessing deworming effectiveness requires a bit of patience. But paying attention to symptom improvement, following up with repeat testing, watching for recurrence, and taking preventive measures can provide reassurance that deworming is working and intestinal worms are under control.