Clinical Portal 2026 Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Safe Food, Water and Deworming

Prevent stomach infections and worm-related problems with safe routines.

Parent Guide Reviewed

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)

Prevention starts with everyday safety. Safe food, safe water, sanitation, hand hygiene, and authorized deworming programmes can reduce diarrhoeal illness and worm-related nutritional problems.

What does this guide cover?

Food and water may carry bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals. Soil-transmitted worms spread where sanitation and hygiene are poor. This guide focuses on prevention and when to seek medical care.

Problems prevention can reduce

  • Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and dehydration from unsafe food or water.
  • Poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, or worm-related anaemia and malnutrition in high-risk settings.
  • Repeated school absenteeism from preventable infections.
  • Spread of infection among siblings and classmates.

Home prevention approach

  • Use safe drinking water and clean utensils.
  • Follow the WHO five keys: keep clean, separate raw and cooked foods, cook thoroughly, keep food safe, and use safe water and raw materials.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables appropriately and avoid unsafe street food for young children.
  • Participate in school or Anganwadi deworming only through authorized public-health programmes or doctor advice.
  • Do not repeatedly give deworming tablets without medical or public-health advice.

Red flags / when to seek medical review

Seek urgent care for:
  • Blood in stool, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, no urine, sunken eyes, lethargy, or signs of dehydration.
  • Infant with diarrhoea or poor feeding.
  • Persistent weight loss, pallor, swelling, or recurrent abdominal symptoms.
  • Any suspected medicine reaction after deworming.

Important facts for parents

  • Deworming policy depends on age, region, and programme guidance.
  • No deworming dose schedule is provided in this guide.
  • Safe food practices matter even when food looks fresh.
  • Antibiotics are not needed for every diarrhoeal illness.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide does not replace medical consultation, diagnosis, public-health programme advice, testing, or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. No medication or deworming dose schedule is provided here. Final clinical use requires clinician review.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food.
  2. IAP Guidelines for Parents.
  3. World Health Organization community hand hygiene guidance.
  4. MoHFW/NHM National Deworming Day guidance.

Last reviewed: 16 June 2026.

Medical review

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed16 June 2026

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesWHO Five Keys to Safer Food; IAP Guidelines for Parents; WHO community hand hygiene guidance; MoHFW/NHM National Deworming Day guidance.

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.