There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Worm infection in children is one of the most common diseases. Its severity is generally underestimated. They remove nutrients from food to babies, cause allergies, intractable intoxication, reduce immunity and damage the abdominal organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected by parasites and among children there are many more infected. The initial stage of the disease passes without symptoms, in a latent form. Worms in children, the symptoms and treatment of which parents need to learn and understand, sometimes live in a person for many years, do not manifest themselves at all, and are activated only with a decrease in immunity.
Worm propagation
Diseases caused by lower worms are called helminthiasis. No one is immune to them, often the infected themselves are to blame for the appearance of worms. Climate has the greatest influence on the degree of prevalence. They are most comfortable in hot tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socioeconomic level: in underdeveloped regions with a low level of hygiene and medicine, especially many people suffer from helminth infestations.
In general, it is accepted that helminthiasis is a characteristic disease of the lower social strata that live in unsanitary conditions, having frequent contact with the land or animals, carriers of invasions. However, statistics refute this claim: in prosperous European countries, the test finds worms in a third of patients.
Every year 2 million cases of infection are diagnosed, and the figure of 20 million is based on the turnover of anthelmintics. 80% of them are children. Helminths are viable, fertile, a female lays 200 thousand eggs a day.
Types of worms
There are a large number of types of worms: more than 300, 70 of them are typical of our region, the rest are brought by travelers from exotic countries. All types of parasites adapted to inhabit the human body belong to three broad categories:
- nematodes belonging to the roundworm class, most commonly seen in babies (these include pinworms, whipworms, Trichinella, roundworms);
- tapeworms (flat), classified as cestodes (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- to flukes or fluke parasites that live and reproduce in the intestine, but can reach various human organs through the bloodstream. Usually the intestines, liver, and gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are the most infected, but the worms reach muscle tissue, lungs, and even the brain and heart.
First of all, in terms of prevalence, there are pinworms, which have a round diameter and small parameters - no more than 6 mm. They are located in the lower part of the colon. More than 24 thousand species of nematodes are known. The female can lay 150 thousand eggs per day. Their systematic movement and reproduction outside the intestine is the main reason for the risk of secondary infection by enterobiasis.
Ascaris infestation, which ranks second in terms of distribution, is inherent in preschool-age children and younger schoolchildren. Adult worms look threatening: they grow up to 30 cm, the female lays about 100 thousand eggs per day. The larvae enter the body through unwashed hands, unwashed food, and water. They are transmitted through the bloodstream to all parts of the child's body and settle in them. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for the body of a shapeless child. Ascariasis is usually the cause of an allergic reaction in children.
Trichinella is not that common in children. They are the causative agents of trichinosis, characterized by the transfer of eggs at lightning speed through the body, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequences of trichinosis are peritonitis, intestinal bleeding.
Sources and methods of invasion.
Prevention of helminth infection in children is possible if you understand the information about worm transmission. Actually, there are several possibilities for its penetration into the human body. Most of it reaches the person through domestic contact or through food.
Many believe that strict adherence to the principles of personal hygiene will protect against helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this opinion is incorrect. Children are at higher risk of infection due to close contact with the culprits. Each of the invasion sources has its own characteristics:
- with the contact-home route, the larvae enter the body through infected people, through things, through animals;
- With the feeding method, the culprits are unwashed palms, water of questionable purity, infected food supplies;
- With the route of transmission, the worms are obtained from the blood-sucking insects;
- with active (percutaneous): the testicles of the worms overcome the connective tissues or the skin of the soil or deposits during the bathing process. Sometimes airborne larvae, together with dust particles, enter the respiratory system.
Despite the diversity of worm species, children become infected with them in the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or a whole parasite, when it reaches a person, it begins to feed and reproduce, their number in the absence of therapy increases sharply. The state of health of an infected person worsens, he becomes the culprit for transmitting the invasion to others.
The most common helminth eggs - roundworms, pinworms, covered with a sticky capsule, firmly adhere to the surface and stay there. The spread is happening soon enough. Once on the palms and fingers, the eggs collect under the nails, from where they transfer to everyday things a person wears. This is how all members of the family and the immediate environment are infected.
Certain types of worms can penetrate the placenta and infect the fetus in utero. Getting an infestation from a mother with enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A nursing child can catch it from sick relatives, although the disease is not transmitted through breast milk. There are also non-standard cases of transmission of worm eggs from an infected person - during sexual contact or kissing, and contraception in this case is useless.
It is impossible to completely protect yourself from helminthiasis - its larvae live everywhere. However, there is the potential to reduce the threat of disease for those who meet hygiene requirements, eat food that has undergone heat treatment, and regularly undergo preventive worm treatment.
Helminth identification
Parasite infection occurs most often in the warm season, because babies vigorously explore their surroundings, spend all day outside, in the sandbox, splash in reservoirs, feast on berries and fruits directly from the branches, without worrying about handwashing. and fruits.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, need to force a series of obstacles: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, intestinal immune defenses. In children, the protection is much weaker, which is why helminths overcome it more easily. Parents should be aware of the signs of infestation in their children. Most of them are aware of a difference like grinding their teeth at night, although this is not the only indicator. How to understand that a child has worms? You need to pay attention to the symptoms.
Common symptoms of worms
The presence of helminths in the child's body poisons him with waste products, therefore one of the main symptoms of infection is considered to be increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, whims. The following general characteristics are characteristics:
- allergic skin reaction: rash, hives, eczema;
- digestive complications: alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, pain in the navel;
- decreased protective immunity, repeated colds, addition of a fungal infection;
- manifestation of an allergic-toxic response to vaccination;
- Decreased hemoglobin levels.
Parents should be especially attentive to the complex of these signs in a baby, for example, when acute respiratory infections or candidiasis are difficult to cure. In such cases, it is logical to assume the presence of helminth invasion.
In addition to the general symptoms of worm infection, there are individual signs of the presence of a certain parasite in a child.
Symptoms of Ascaris
The key symptom of ascariasis in children is a dry cough with worms in children, combined with a skin rash, and two weeks later - the manifestation of general indicators of intoxication, pain of the abdominal cavity. A distinctive sign is the variability of the child's mental and nervous well-being.
Symptoms of pinworms
Pinworm infection is declared as dehydration of the oral cavity. Infected children complain of irritation in the anal area, especially at night. The child scratches this surface, which is fraught with inflammation. In girls, these symptoms are complemented by enuresis and vulvovaginitis. The appetite changes, the stools are altered, the baby coughs, he does not sleep well, his nervous system is altered.
Manifestation of signs of other worms.
Whipworms are common in temperate subtropical climates: Whipworms prefer humidity. The signs are not entirely typical: the pain resembles attacks of appendicitis, the baby often has the urge to defecate, and symptoms of colitis are observed. The consequence can be a rectal prolapse, as well as severe anemia.
Hookworms are lovers of moisture, heat, they also prefer tropical and subtropical climatic regions, in particular, the Krasnodar Territory. One symptom is a rash where the parasite enters the skin. Complicated by severe anemia.
Dogs are carriers of toxocariasis, the disease spreads everywhere. The symptoms are:
- pain in the abdominal area;
- decreased vision;
- nervous system disorder;
- allergic reactions.
It can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis breeds everywhere, on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. For a long time, it is latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headache. The serious consequences are the alteration of the brain, lungs, liver, heart and kidneys. Helminth invasion in children, the symptoms of which are life-threatening for the child, is treated with surgery.
Trematodosis (opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis) is widespread on the coast of the seas, in river basins, the main source of infection is fish not heat-treated. Symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, muscle pain, fever, and an allergic rash. The disease is aggravated by ulcerative gastroduodenitis, liver cirrhosis, purulent cholangitis, peritonitis, chronic hepatitis.
The symptoms of childhood helminthiasis are polymorphic, the signs are suitable for many diseases, so it is difficult to use only the clinical picture to make a diagnosis. More realistic results are obtained by laboratory investigations - an analysis of worm eggs, and it must be repeated several times.
Characteristics of the age of the disease
Worms in a baby
Helminths are usually found in preschoolers of one and a half to two years. Babies are rarely infected with parasites from an infected mother, during intrauterine development, at the time of delivery, during feeding. This usually happens at 6 months, with the start of complementary feeding, an active crawling movement. The child is not missing a single microbe, bacteria, parasite. It is much more difficult to detect helminths in babies than in children of different ages. Symptoms and signs of worms in children are manifested:
- child's anxiety, disturbed sleep;
- constant fatigue, lethargy, general weakness;
- irritation and inflammation in the anal area and in girls, around the genitals;
- digestive disorders: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, colic;
- dizziness associated with intoxication of the body;
- weight loss, refusal to eat, although there are exceptions;
- pale, white tint of the skin,
- shadows under the eyes;
- rashes on the body, mainly on the thighs;
- insignificant increase in temperature;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- regular cough, independent of respiratory illness.
Such symptoms in a baby can indicate not only the invasion of helminths, but also many other diseases. That is why, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to repeatedly perform a fecal examination at a certain interval.
Symptoms of roundworms in 2-year-olds are mostly similar to common signs of roundworms. The introduction of developing larvae and forms of worms into the child's body can cause great harm to health, since in babies the defenses are just beginning to form, the child is not able to resist unwanted aggressors. The risk increases due to the fact that children are ready to try everything without any knowledge of hygiene principles. Regardless of the type of worms, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-old children are similar. Is:
- Rash on the skin;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- heavy flow of saliva at night during sleep;
- a sudden increase or decrease in appetite, accompanied by a decrease in body weight;
- unexpected nausea, intestinal dysfunction.
There are also common signs: irritation in the anus, in girls, in the genital area, intoxication, fatigue, decreased immunity, disorder of nervous processes.
Symptoms of worms in 3-year-olds are identical to the above.
An important factor in the invasion of children from 3 to 5 years is their visit to nurseries, as well as contact with pets infected by worms. Children become infected with rarer helminthiasis pathogens while traveling to exotic countries or from relatives who have been there. The rapid penetration of larvae, parasite eggs into the child's body is facilitated by:
- vitamin deficiency, useful elements;
- lack of protein from food;
- poor quality food;
- reduced immunity.
Symptoms of worms in 5-year-olds are similar. On Dr. Komarovsky's website, you can view photo and video materials about the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Diagnosis of the disease
The appearance of the first symptoms suggestive of helminthic invasion indicates the need for special studies. In clinical practice, sufficient attention is paid to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschool children and elementary school students. The presumptive diagnosis must be confirmed by laboratory investigation techniques:
- a clinical blood test, which sets the task of finding antibodies against certain parasite pathogens;
- enterobiasis scraping and stool analysis, performed three times to correctly diagnose;
- an analysis that evaluates the intestinal microflora.
In a general blood test, they look at the color indicator. The diagnosis is confirmed as long as its index is higher than that established, the number of eosinophils increases, the hemoglobin is reduced, on the contrary, and anemia is expressed. A blood test for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for parasites is performed on an empty stomach from a vein. The effect is almost one hundred percent unmistakable, reliable, it is even able to identify the type of worms, the damage caused to the baby's body by worms.
The analysis of helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis is carried out on the basis of a stool study. Stool tests for worms do not always give a result, so they are done repeatedly. To detail the diagnosis, a biological study of sputum, bile, urinalysis, stool coprogram is used. Opisthorchiasis is determined by examining the contents of the intestine and duodenal intubation.
Additional diagnostic techniques include ultrasound of internal organs, X-rays, computed tomography, MRI. They help the specialist to determine the presence of helminths in the internal organs. The combination of these studies makes it possible to confirm or deny the diagnosis of enterobiasis. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment of roundworms in children is made, the less the baby's health will suffer.
Invasion healing using the traditional method.
The serious consequences of helminthiasis make us take a responsible approach to treating the disease, contacting specialists, a parasitologist or a pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 stages.
The preparatory stage consists in the appointment of sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby's body of toxic substances accumulated as a result of the life cycle of parasites.
Anthelmintic therapy consists of the selection of drugs based on age, the type of pathogens and the stage of the disease. Usually a one-time receipt of the drug is prescribed in tablet or suspension form. After 2 weeks, the course is repeated.
Anthelmintic drugs are very toxic, so when prescribing them, the utmost precautions should be taken so as not to harm the child's health. Moderation of dosage is of the utmost importance. Self-medication is not recommended, the drug must be prescribed by a doctor, who can sometimes prescribe a combination of drugs. It is recommended that you carefully read the contraindications of the anthelmintic agent.
The cleansing scheme is carried out after the use of anthelmintic drugs, when the parasites die, leaving the body with feces. At this time, there is a large splash of toxic substances on the baby's body. For cleansing, enemas, intake of absorbents and choleretic drugs are prescribed. After the end of the course of treatment, it is necessary to redo blood and stool tests. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Home remedies
Herbal healers have a long history of salvation from parasitic worms. Conventional medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these remedies. However, not all of them give a guaranteed result. It is advisable to coordinate its use with a doctor. The following popular recipes are considered the most effective:
- using pumpkin seeds;
- the use of hemp, pumpkin, linseed oil;
- garlic enema supplemented with milk;
- using a soda enema;
- carrot juice;
- tansy infusion: 3 tbsp. l. tansy is poured with a glass of boiling water, it is insisted for an hour, the infusion is given to the child to drink 1 liter of dessert. three times a day; overdose is unacceptable so that there is no depression of the nervous system;
- Birch tar;
- herbal teas, wormwood enemas.
Precautionary measures
To protect a child from helminthic invasions, certain rules must be strictly followed:
- teach the baby to wash his hands well before eating, after walking;
- systematically trim the nail plates;
- change the costume for the child more often;
- keep household items, toys clean;
- it is undesirable to have tetrapods in the house;
- teach him not to put out his fingers, toys in his mouth to walk;
- once a year to carry out prophylaxis for the whole family in the form of taking medications.
Worm infestation is a serious problem. The disease is quite common in the world, children are especially susceptible to it. The disease can last for years and cause enormous damage to the baby's health. Worms release toxins throughout their existence, leading to the appearance of various diseases that cause the child a lot of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. That is why parents should notice the symptoms in time, start treatment with the help of a specialist.