Waukala - Gross in Paraguayan Spanish

I think, generally speaking I am a pretty clean human being. I shower at least once a day, and up to 6 or 7 times a day when its really steamy! I brush my teeth twice daily (at least once with prescription strength fluoride), I always wash my hands post-bathrooming and pre-eating. I am a good dishwasher. I am not a finger licker, I don’t eat dirt, I don’t have animals in my yard. I have running water and a modern bathroom – all things that would point to good hygiene. Right? I thought so at least. So, when about a week and a half ago I went to a fellow volunteers site to help with a parasite charla, I thought showing kids how to take the chewable anti-parasite pill was just a demonstration and not something that my doctor would recommend. Wrong!

It turns out that if you have a parasite, more specifically Roundworm, it takes about nine days to kill and discard. I was utterly shocked yesterday afternoon, when out of chance and the corner of my eye, I saw a little something extra in my “water”. Since I hadn’t eaten spaghetti in at least a week – that was not an option for what lay before me flowing, as to be enjoying the same luxuries a sun-bather would on a hot day in a cool pool! With a slightly closer look and adrenaline pumping through my veins trying to remember if I still had a pair of rubber gloves left in my PC-Med Kit or if I had used the last pair to dye Na Rubias hair? Luckily her roots haven’t grown out too much – and there was one pair left! A strategic maneuvering of a gloved hand a handy Ziploc (thanks mom!), I was able to remove the 6+ inch worm from its afternoon swim and tuck safely into my refrigerator to be able to describe in detail to the doctor!

Roundworm can grow to be up to 30cm, so my +/-10cm friend, is really nothing! According to Where There is No Doctor, A Village Health Care Handbook, Roundworm (Ascaris) are spread feces-to-mouth, this does not mean that I was intentionally eating poo. It was most likely spread to my through uncleanly hands to food contact, by myself or any one of the 25+ people with whom I shake hands with, drink terere with, eat lunch with, mutually touched doorknobs, or you name it!

If you are ready to be really grossed out – read the following:

Once the eggs are swallowed, young worms hatch and enter the bloodstream; this may cause general itching. The young worms then travel to the lungs, sometimes causing a dry cough or, at worst, pneumonia with coughing blood. The young worms are coughed up, swallowed, and reach the intestines, where they grow to full size. Many round worms in the intestines may cause discomfort, indigestion, and weakness. Children with roundworms often have very large, swollen bellies. Rarely, roundworms may cause asthma, or a dangerous obstruction or blockage in the gut. Especially when the child has a fever, the worms sometimes come out in the stools or crawl out through the mouth or noses. Occasionally, they crawl into the airway and cause gagging. (Where There is No Doctor)

Thank GOODNESS! I have had no such symptoms! I may have been a little extra sleepy – but I have just assumed it is my body adjusting to the heat again. I am probably already cured but am taking a preventative extra three days of parasite pills. And will be even more attentive to my handwashing, veggie washing, hand shaking and thumb sucking! (just kidding!)

It has turned out to be a wonderful teachable moment! Its a great conversation starter, ¨so you know what fell out of me yesterday?¨ I am able to talk to Paraguayans about better hand, veggie and dish washing. And have the opportunity to offer them an anti-parasite pill provided by PC-Paraguay, the same little pill that killed the above worm!