If you ask most South Africans when they last thought about deworming, they’ll likely picture an energetic toddler at daycare or the chewable tablets they buy for the family dog. Somewhere along the line, we’ve filed intestinal parasites under “things only kids, pets, or people without clean water get.”
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It’s an understandable myth, but local data tells us it’s completely wrong.
While access to clean water and sanitation remains a serious challenge in parts of South Africa, intestinal parasites don’t only live in unsanitary conditions. You don’t need to be playing in a muddy playground to contract a worm infection. In fact, you can pick one up at your favourite restaurant, from your kitchen garden, or right off your kitchen counter.
The reality for South African adults
A study looking at adults in KwaZulu-Natal found that 33% had a worm infection, with roundworm being the most common type, found in 18% of people. Another massive study of over 5,700 adult stool samples across KZN public hospital laboratories confirmed that 20.4% of adults had active parasitic infections, with roundworm once again topping the list at 10.7%.
And it’s not just KwaZulu-Natal. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Public Health in Africa looked at over 2,500 cases of bilharzia in Gauteng. The average age of those infected was 28 years old. Young adults aged 20–29 made up nearly a quarter of all cases.
How adults catch parasites (without knowing it)
When it comes to deworming, the focus is usually on kids – and for good reason. They spend their days touching dirty surfaces, sharing toys, and putting their hands near their mouths. But parasites don’t care how old you are – and as an adult, you’re exposed to them through everyday habits you probably barely think twice about:
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Eating out or ordering in – That fresh salad or sushi platter might seem like a healthy choice, but if leafy greens are washed in contaminated water or handled by someone with unwashed hands—those parasite eggs end up straight in your system.
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Undercooked meat: That medium-rare steak might be your favourite, but if it hasn’t been frozen or cooked to the right temperature, it can contain tapeworm cysts.
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Pet cudldles: Dogs and cats can carry worm eggs on their fur and paws. When they snuggle into your bed or give you a kiss, those eggs can transfer straight to you.
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Gardening: Soil, compost, and garden beds are full of organic matter – and occasionally parasite eggs from birds or neighbourhood animals. If you garden without gloves or don’t scrub under your nails afterwards, transmission is easy.
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Household cross-contamination: If anyone in your house contracts pinworms, the microscopic eggs can survive on doorknobs, bedsheets, towels, and TV remotes for up to three weeks.
6 Signs you might need to deworm
- Persistent bloating and digestive troubles: Unexplained gas, mild cramping, or diarrhoea one day and constipation the next. Parasites can irritate your gut lining and throw things off balance.
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Chronic fatigue and brain fog: Parasites feed on the nutrients in your food, which can leave you short on iron and B12. The result? Feeling drained no matter how much sleep you get.
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Sudden changes in appetite: Feeling hungry an hour after a big meal, or losing your appetite entirely with mild nausea.
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Itching, especially at night: This is the classic pinworm sign. Itching around your anal area that gets worse when you climb into bed is worth paying attention to.
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Restless sleep and teeth grinding: Parasites release toxins that can overstimulate your nervous system. This can lead to disrupted sleep, night sweats, or even waking up with a sore jaw from grinding your teeth.
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Unexplained skin outbreaks: Eczema flare-ups, mystery hives, or dry, itchy patches can sometimes be your body’s allergic reaction to parasite activity.
What to do next
If any of these signs feel familiar, or if you haven’t been dewormed in months or years, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t self-diagnose – these symptoms overlap with other conditions. A professional will give you the right advice and treatment. And if deworming is needed, it’s important to treat everyone in your household together to avoid reinfection.
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Feautured Image: Pexels
