Guinea Worm

What is guinea worm?

• Guinea worm disease is caused by a worm parasite. The problem starts when you drink dirty water that has tiny water fleas carrying the worm’s eggs.
• The worms grow inside you for up to a year, and when they’re ready, they come out—usually in your legs, making it painful to walk and do anything.
• You’ll feel feverish, swollen, and sore, and it takes weeks to get rid of them!

How do you get it?

• By drinking dirty water with tiny infected water fleas (no, you won’t see them, they’re microscopic.).
• Once inside, the worms grow, mate, and the female worm starts traveling under your skin, usually down to your legs.
• After about a year, she decides to pop out, causing painful blisters.
• If you put your leg in water to relieve the pain, the worm releases babies, and the cycle starts again.

Symptoms?

Before the worm emerges, 

• Feverish
• Swelling
• Experiencing pain  

How it is managed?

• The worm has to be carefully pulled out over several weeks.
• You’ll probably need pain relief like aspirin while the worm is coming out.

How to avoid guinea worm?

• Drink clean water 
• Avoid standing in shallow ponds where infected worms are.
• Health education and monitoring are crucial in affected areas.