There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Worm infection in children is one of the most common diseases. Usually their severity is underestimated. They can take nutrients from the baby's food, cause allergies, intractable poisoning, reduce immunity and damage the abdominal organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected with parasites, among which more children are infected. There are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease-in a latent form. For children’s worms, parents should understand and understand the symptoms and treatment methods. Sometimes they live in a person for many years, do not show up, and are only activated when the immunity is weakened.
The spread of worms
The disease that causes the lower worm is called helminthiasis. No one is immune to them, and the infected person is usually the culprit of the worm. Climate has the greatest impact on its prevalence. They are most comfortable in hot tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socio-economic level: in underdeveloped areas with low levels of health and medical care, especially many people are infected by worms.
It is generally believed that helminthiasis is a disease of low social strata living in unsanitary conditions, often in contact with land or animals-carriers of invasion. However, statistics refute this claim: In prosperous European countries, inspections found that one-third of patients had worms in their bodies.
Two million cases of infection are diagnosed each year, of which the figure of 20 million is calculated based on the turnover of anthelmintics. 80% of them are children. Worms are viable and reproductive. A female lays 200, 000 eggs per day.
Types of worms
There are many types of worms-more than 300 types, 70 of which are typical worms in our region, and the rest are brought by travelers from foreign countries. All types of parasites adapted to human parasitism belong to three major categories:
- Nematodes belonging to the roundworm genus, most commonly found in infants (including pinworms, whipworms, trichinella, roundworms);
- List (flat) worms as tapeworms (including tapeworms, tapeworms, and hydatid);
- Flukes or flukes live and reproduce in the intestines, but can be transported to various human organs through the bloodstream. In general, the intestines, liver, and gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are most infected, but worms can enter muscle tissue, lungs, and even the brain and heart.
The first popular thing is pinworms. Their diameter is round and the parameters are very small-no more than 6 mm. They are located in the lower part of the colon. More than 24, 000 species of nematodes are known. Females can lay 150, 000 eggs per day. Their systemic movement and reproduction outside the intestine are the main reasons for the risk of secondary enterobiasis.
Roundworm infection is inherent in preschool children and young school children, ranking second in terms of distribution. Adults look menacing: they grow to 30 cm. The female lays approximately 100, 000 eggs per day. The larvae enter the human body through unwashed hands, dirty food and water. They spread through the bloodstream to all parts of the child's body and settle in them. This type of helminthiasis is very dangerous for the body of an unformed child. Ascariasis is usually the culprit of allergic reactions in children.
Trichinella is not common in children. They are the causative agent of trichinosis, which is characterized by their eggs passing through the body at lightning speed, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequences of trichinosis are peritonitis and intestinal bleeding.
Source and method of invasion
If you know about the spread of worms, you can prevent children from getting worms. In fact, there are many possibilities for them to enter the human body. Most of them reach a person through contact with family or food.
Many people believe that strict adherence to personal hygiene principles can prevent helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this view is wrong. Children are most vulnerable to infection due to close contact with criminals. Each intrusion source has its own characteristics:
- Through contact with the family, the larvae enter the human body through infected people, through objects, and from animals;
- With this diet method, the culprit is unwashed palms, water of questionable purity, and infected food;
- By means of transmission, worms are obtained from blood-sucking insects;
- Active (transdermal)-the worm's testicles overcome the connective tissue or skin in the soil or reservoir during the bath. Sometimes, airborne larvae enter the respiratory system along with dust particles.
Although there are many species of worms, children infect them in roughly the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body, or the entire parasite, when it reaches a person, they begin to eat and reproduce, and their number will increase dramatically without treatment. The health of the infected person deteriorated, and he became the chief culprit in spreading the invasion to others.
The eggs of the most common worms, roundworms and pinworms, are covered with a sticky capsule that adheres firmly to the surface and is fixed there. Spread will happen soon. Once on the palms and fingers, the eggs will accumulate under the nails and then transfer from there to the daily necessities that people use. This is how all family members and the surrounding environment are infected.
Certain types of worms can penetrate the placenta and infect the fetus in the uterus. Infection from a mother with pinworm disease, possibly during childbirth. Although the disease is not spread through breast milk, breastfeeding children may be infected by sick relatives. There are also non-standard cases of the transmission of eggs by an infected person: during sexual contact or kissing, contraception is useless in this case.
It is impossible to completely protect yourself from helminthiasis: their larvae are everywhere. However, it is possible to reduce the threat of disease for those who comply with hygiene requirements, eat heat-treated food, and regularly undergo preventive treatments for worms.
Identification of worms
Parasitic infections most often occur in the warm season, because babies will actively explore their surroundings, stay outside all day, in the sandbox, splash water in the reservoir, eat berries and fruits directly from the branches, without worrying about washing hands and fruits.
In adults, worms need to overcome many obstacles before entering the body: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, and intestinal immune defense system. In children, protection is much weaker, which is why it is easier for worms to overcome it. Parents should pay attention to signs of infection in their children. Most of them are aware of the difference in teeth grinding at night, although this is not the only indicator. How to understand that children have bugs? You should pay attention to the symptoms.
Common symptoms of worms
The presence of worms in a child will poison him with waste products, which is why one of the main symptoms of infection is considered to be increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, and whim. The following general characteristics are characteristic:
- Allergic skin reactions-skin rash, urticaria, eczema;
- Digestive system complications-alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, belly button pain;
- Decreased protective immunity, repeated colds, increased fungal infections;
- Manifestations of allergic reactions to vaccination;
- The level of hemoglobin is reduced.
Parents should be especially alert to these complex symptoms in their babies, for example, when acute respiratory infections or thrush are difficult to cure. In this case, it is logical to assume that there is a worm intrusion.
In addition to the general symptoms of worm infection, there are also individual signs that some kind of parasites are present in children.
Roundworm symptoms
The main symptom of childhood ascariasis is a child's dry cough, accompanied by a rash, two weeks later, the general indicators of poisoning and abdominal soreness. A unique signal is a change in the child's neurological and mental health.
Pinworm symptoms
Pinworm infection was declared as oral dehydration. Infected children complain of irritation in the anal area, especially at night. The child scratched this inflammatory surface. In girls, enuresis and vulvovaginitis supplement these symptoms. Changes in appetite, uncomfortable stools, baby coughing, poor sleep, and his nervous system is uncomfortable.
Other signs of worms
Trichomoniasis is common in temperate and subtropical climates: whipworms like humidity. The symptoms are not very typical: the pain is similar to an appendicitis attack, the baby often has the urge to defecate, and symptoms of colitis are observed. The result may be rectal prolapse and severe anemia.
Hookworms like humidity and heat. They also like subtropical and tropical climates, especially Krasnodar Krai. The symptom is a rash where the parasite enters the skin. Complicated with severe anemia.
Dogs are carriers of toxoplasmosis, which spreads everywhere. The symptoms are:
- abdominal pain;
- Decreased vision;
- Nervous system disorders;
- Allergic reaction.
Can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, and bronchial asthma.
Hydatid disease is everywhere-on all continents except Antarctica. It has been latent for a long time, and the symptoms are neurological disorders and headaches. The serious consequences are the destruction of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys. Worms invade children, and their symptoms can endanger their lives and can be treated with surgery.
Fasciasis (postflasciasis and fasciasis) are widespread in coastal and river basins, and the main source of infection is fish that have not been heat-treated. The symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, muscle pain, fever, and allergic rash. Ulcerative gastroduodenitis, liver cirrhosis, purulent cholangitis, peritonitis, and chronic hepatitis aggravate the condition.
The symptoms of helminthiasis in children are polymorphic, and its signs are applicable to many diseases, so it is difficult to make a diagnosis based on clinical manifestations alone. More realistic results are obtained through laboratory research-the analysis of worm eggs, it must be repeated several times.
Age characteristics of the disease
Worms in babies
Worms are usually found in preschool children who are one and a half or two years old. Babies are rarely infected with parasites from infected mothers-during intrauterine development, during delivery, and during feeding. This usually happens after 6 months, start to add complementary foods and actively crawl. Children will not miss any kind of microorganisms, bacteria and parasites. Compared with children of different ages, it is much more difficult to find worms in babies. The symptoms and signs of worms in children are as follows:
- Anxiety and restless sleep of the child;
- Persistent fatigue, lethargy, general weakness;
- Anal area and girls-irritation and inflammation around the genitals;
- Digestive system diseases: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, colic;
- Dizziness related to body poisoning;
- Lose weight and refuse to eat, although there are exceptions;
- Pale, pale skin,
- The shadow under the eyes;
- Skin rashes on the body, mainly on the thighs;
- The temperature rise is not obvious;
- Worsening of chronic diseases;
- Frequent coughing has nothing to do with respiratory diseases.
Such symptoms in infants can not only indicate worm invasion, but also many other diseases. Therefore, in order to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to repeat stool inspections at regular intervals.
Most of the symptoms of worms in 2-year-old children are similar to the common symptoms of worms. Introducing larvae and developing worms into a child's body can cause great damage to health, because the infant's defense system is just beginning to form and the child cannot resist unwanted attackers. Since children are prepared to taste everything without any knowledge of hygiene principles, the risk increases. Regardless of the type of worm, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-old children are similar. This:
- rash;
- Swollen lymph nodes;
- A large amount of saliva shed during sleep at night;
- Sudden increase or decrease in appetite, accompanied by weight loss;
- Unexpected nausea, intestinal dysfunction.
There are also common signs: anal irritation, girls-genital area, poisoning, fatigue, decreased immunity, disorders of nerve processes.
The symptoms of worms in a 3-year-old child are the same as the previous symptoms.
An important factor in the invasion of children aged 3 to 5 years is their visits to nurseries and contact with pets infected with worms. Children are infected with rarer helminth pathogens when traveling to a foreign country or from relatives who have been there. The reasons for the rapid penetration of larvae and parasite eggs into children’s bodies are:
- Lack of vitamins, useful elements;
- Lack of protein in food;
- Low-quality food
- decrease in immunity.
Symptoms of worms in 5-year-old children are similar. On Dr. Komarovsky's website, you can see photos and videos about the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Disease diagnosis
The appearance of the initial symptoms suggestive of worm invasion indicates that special research is required. In clinical practice, sufficient attention has been paid to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschool children and elementary school students. Laboratory research techniques must be used to confirm the presumptive diagnosis:
- A clinical blood test whose task is to find antibodies against certain parasitic pathogens;
- Scrape ascariasis and analyze the feces for 3 times for correct diagnosis;
- Assess the analysis of the intestinal flora.
In a normal blood test, they will look at the color indicator. If the index is higher than the established index, the number of eosinophils increases, on the contrary, the hemoglobin decreases, and anemia is shown, the diagnosis can be confirmed. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay blood test for parasites is performed from a vein on an empty stomach. The effect is almost 100% correct and reliable. It can even identify the type of worm and the damage caused by the worm to the baby's body.
The analysis of worm eggs and dysbacteriosis is carried out on the basis of stool studies. Stool tests for worms do not always give results, which is why these tests are repeated. For detailed diagnosis, biological studies of sputum, bile, urinalysis, and stool collaborative procedures were used. The posterior testicular disease is determined by examining the intestinal contents and duodenal intubation.
Other diagnostic techniques include visceral ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography, and MRI. They help experts determine whether worms are present in internal organs. The combination of these studies can confirm or deny the diagnosis of pinworm disease. The sooner the diagnosis is made and the treatment of worms in children begins, the less the health of the baby will be affected.
Use traditional methods to cure the invasion
The serious consequences of helminthiasis make us take a responsible approach to treat the disease, contact an expert-a parasitologist or a pediatrician. Medical treatment includes 3 stages.
The preparation phase includes the use of adsorbents and antihistamines to remove toxic substances accumulated in the baby's body due to the life cycle of parasites.
Deworming therapy involves choosing drugs based on age, pathogen type, and disease stage. Usually, it is prescribed to receive the drug in the form of a tablet or suspension at a time. After 2 weeks, repeat the course.
Antihelminthics are very toxic, which is why precautions should be taken as much as possible when prescribing them, so as not to harm the health of children. A moderate dose is the most important. It is not recommended to self-administer the medicine. The medicine should be prescribed by a doctor. The doctor sometimes prescribes a combination of multiple medicines. It is recommended that you read carefully the contraindications of insect repellents.
The cleaning plan is carried out after the use of anti-worm drugs. When the parasites die, the body will leave feces. At this moment, huge toxic substances were splashing into the baby's body. For cleansing, enemas are prescribed, absorbents and choleretics are taken. After the course of treatment is over, blood and stool tests need to be performed again. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Folk remedies
Herbal therapists have a long history of getting rid of parasites. Mainstream medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these therapies. However, not all of these can guarantee results. It is recommended to use in coordination with a doctor. The following folk recipes are considered the most effective:
- Use pumpkin seeds;
- Use hemp, pumpkin, linseed oil;
- Garlic enema supplemented with milk;
- Use soda enema;
- carrot juice;
- Tansy infusion: 3 tablespoons. Pour the lake tansy into a glass of boiling water, hold for an hour, and give the child 1 liter of dessert for the infusion. Three times a day; overdose is unacceptable and therefore does not inhibit the nervous system;
- Birch tar
- Herbal infusion, wormwood enema.
Precaution
In order to protect children from worms, certain rules must be strictly followed:
- Teach babies to wash their hands thoroughly before eating and after walking;
- Trim the nail plate systematically;
- Change clothes for children more frequently;
- Keep household items and toys clean;
- It is not advisable to leave quadrupeds in the house;
- Teach you not to put your fingers or toys in your mouth when you walk;
- Once a year, prevent the whole family in the form of medication.
Worm infection is a serious problem. The disease is very common worldwide, and children are especially susceptible. This disease can last for several years and cause great harm to the health of babies. Worms will release toxins during their existence, leading to the appearance of various diseases, and bringing a lot of discomfort and unpleasant feelings to children. Therefore, parents should detect symptoms in time and treat them with the help of specialists.