How to avoid getting threadworms

* A couple of children in my son’s class in primary school have been diagnosed with threadworms.

I really don’t want him to pick this up and pass on to the rest of the family. Is there anything I can do?

>>Threadworms are a common infection particularly in children. Threadworms are small, white, thread-like worms between 2mm and 13mm in length and live in the gut for five to six weeks and then die.

Female threadworms lay eggs around the anus, this usually occurs at night and this causes itching. When someone has threadworms they will scratch the anus to relieve the itching (particularly during the night), eggs get onto the fingers and under the nails. If they then put their finger into their mouth, the eggs are swallowed and go to the gut and the cycle begins again.

Treatment for threadworms is medicine which will kill the worms and hygiene measures for two weeks to prevent the spread of the eggs. Once one person in the family has threadworms, everyone in the house needs to be treated and follow good hygiene as they can live for up to 20 days outside the body.

Humans are the only host for threadworms, however animal fur can pick up the eggs from the environment and be a source of infection.

To prevent getting threadworms I would advise talking to him in general terms about hygiene. Make sure he washes his hands after going to the toilet and before eating, when he comes home from school get him to wash his hands thoroughly and use a nail brush to clean under his nails. Also, suggest he doesn’t put his fingers in his mouth or bite his nails. These hygiene measures should apply to all the family. Until this outbreak of threadworms is over, give everyone in the house their own towel.

Clothing, bedding, curtains, walls and carpets become the sources of reinfection and therefore should be cleaned with hot soapy water.

If you suspect he has threadworms you need to make an appointment with your GP who will advise on appropriate management.

* I am a 30-year-old woman. Over the last few months I have been feeling very tired and at times very cold. Although I exercise and try to eat healthily I have put on some weight. There is a family history of hypothyroidism. Should I visit my GP?

>>The thyroid gland makes a hormone called thyroxine which is carried around the body in the blood stream so that the metabolism works correctly. If the gland does not produce enough thyroxine it is described as being an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism.

Men and women can have the condition, but women are affected 10 times more than men. Due to the lack of the hormone, cells in the body do not function properly and slow down.

Treatment usually involves taking a table daily to replace the missing hormone. An underactive thyroid can cause a number of symptoms including:

* Tiredness

* Weight gain

* Constipation

* Feeling cold

* Dry skin

* Aches

* Fluid retention

* Hair loss

* Heavy bleeding during menstruation.

While the symptoms you are experiencing might be from an underactive thyroid, given the range of symptoms they could all be caused by other conditions.

It is very important that you make an appointment as soon as possible to see your GP to discuss your family history of hypothyroidism and symptoms, particularly as you have had them for a few months.

Your doctor will decide if any investigations are needed, such as a blood test to measure your hormone levels, and make a diagnosis.