There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Worm infestation in children is one of the most common diseases. Usually their severity is underestimated. They remove nutrients from food from babies, cause allergies, insoluble intoxication, lower the immune system and damage the abdominal organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected with parasites, and among children there are many more infected. The early stage of the disease passes without symptoms - in a latent form. Worms in children, the symptoms and treatment of which parents must learn and understand, sometimes live in a person for many years, do not manifest in anything and are activated only by a decrease in immunity.
Spread of worms
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 the worms. Climate has the greatest impact on their degree of prevalence. It is more comfortable in warm tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socio-economic level: in underdeveloped areas with a low level of hygiene and medicine, especially many people suffer from helminth infestations.
It is generally accepted that helminthiasis is a disease characterized by the lower social strata living in unhealthy conditions, having frequent contact with the earth or with invading animals. However, statistics disprove this statement: in prosperous European countries, the test detects worms in one third of patients.
2 million cases of infection are diagnosed annually and the number of 20 million is based on the turnover of anthelmintic drugs. 80% of them are children. The helminths are viable, fertile, a female lays 200 thousand eggs daily.
Types of worms
There are a large number of types of worms - more than 300, 70 of them are typical for our region, the rest are brought by travelers from exotic countries. All types of parasites that are adapted to live in the human body fall into three broad categories:
- nematodes belonging to the category of roundworms, which are more common in infants (these include pinworm, whipworm, Trichinella, roundworm).
- with tapeworm (flat) worms, classified as cestoid (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci).
- in tremors or parasites that live and reproduce in the intestine, but can be transmitted through the bloodstream to various human organs. Usually, the intestines, the liver, the gallbladder next to the stomach become more infected, but the worms reach the muscle tissue, the lungs, and even the brain and heart.
In the first place in terms of prevalence are pin worms, which have a round diameter and tiny 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 a day. Their systematic movement and reproduction outside the intestine is the main reason for the risk of secondary infection with enterobiasis.
Ascaris infestation, which ranks second in terms of distribution, is inherent in preschoolers and younger children. Adult worms look threatening: they grow up to 30 cm. The female lays about 100 thousand eggs a day. The larvae enter the body through unwashed hands, dirty food and water. They are transmitted through the bloodstream to all parts of the child's body and are installed in them. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for the body of an unformed child. Ascariasis is often the culprit for an allergic reaction in children.
Trichinella is not so common in children. They are the causative agents of trichinosis, characterized by the lightning transfer of eggs through the body, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequences of trichinosis are peritonitis, intestinal bleeding.
Sources and methods of invasion
Preventing helminth infection in children is possible if you understand the information about the transmission of worms. In fact, there are many possibilities for them to penetrate the human body. Most of it reaches a person through contact-household or diet.
Many believe that strict adherence to the principles of personal hygiene will protect against helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this view is wrong. Children are at greater risk of infection due to close contact with the culprits. Each of the sources of invasion has its own characteristics:
- Through the contact-household route, the larvae enter the body through infected people, through things, from animals.
- With the food method, the culprits are unwashed palms, water of dubious purity, contaminated food supplies.
- with the transmission route, the worms get from insects that suck blood.
- with active (transdermal) - the testicles of the worms extend beyond the connective tissues or the skin from the ground or from the tanks during the swimming process. Sometimes larvae in the air, along with dust particles, enter the respiratory system.
Despite the variety of worm species, children become infected with them in much the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or whole parasite, when it reaches a person, begins to feed and reproduce, their number in the absence of treatment increases sharply. The state of health of an infected person deteriorates, he becomes guilty of transmitting the invasion to others.
The eggs of the most common helminths - roundworms, pinworms, covered with a sticky capsule, adhere firmly to the surface and are held there. Spread occurs fairly soon. Once in the palms and fingers, the eggs accumulate under the nails, from where they are transported to everyday things used by a person. This infects all family members and the immediate environment.
Some types of worms can penetrate the placenta, infecting the fetus in the womb. Receiving an infection from a mother suffering from enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A breastfed baby can be infected by sick relatives, although the disease is not transmitted through breast milk. There are also atypical cases of transmitting worm eggs from an infected person: during sexual intercourse or kissing, and contraception in this case is useless.
It is impossible to fully protect yourself from helminths: their larvae live everywhere. However, there is a potential reduction in the risk of disease for those who comply with hygiene requirements, eat heat-treated foods and undergo regular preventive treatment for worms.
Helminth identification
Infection with parasites occurs more often in the hot season, because babies explore their environment vigorously, spend all day outside, in the sand, splashing in tanks, feasting on berries and fruits directly from the branches, without having to worry about hand washingtheir. and fruit.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, must press a number of obstacles: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, intestinal defense of the immune system. In children the protection is much weaker, which is why helminths overcome it more easily. Parents need to be aware of the signs of infection in their children. Most of them know such a difference as gnashing their teeth at night, although this is not the only indicator. How do you know if a child has worms? You need to pay attention to the symptoms.
Common symptoms of worms
The presence of helminths in the body of the child poisons it with waste, so one of the main symptoms of infection is considered increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, whims. Characteristics are the following general characteristics:
- Allergic skin reaction - rash, urticaria, eczema.
- digestive complications - alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, umbilical cord pain.
- reduction of protective immunity, recurrent colds, addition of fungal infection.
- manifestation of allergic-toxic response to vaccination.
- reduced hemoglobin levels.
Parents should be especially careful about the complex of these points in a baby, for example, when acute respiratory infections or chewing gum are difficult to cure. In such cases, it makes sense to assume the presence of a helminth invasion.
In addition to the general symptoms of a worm infection, there are isolated signs of the presence of a particular parasite in a child.
Ascaris symptoms
The main 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 signs of poisoning, pain in the abdominal cavity. A characteristic sign is the variability of the child's nervous and mental well-being.
Symptoms of irritation
Worm 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 full of inflammation. In girls, these symptoms are complemented by urination and vaginitis. Appetite changes, stools are disturbed, the baby coughs, does not sleep well, his nervous system is disturbed.
Manifestation of signs of other worms
Hair loss is common in temperate, subtropical climates: whips prefer moisture. The signs are not typical enough: the pain looks like appendicitis attacks, the baby often has a desire to defecate and symptoms of colitis are observed. The consequence can be rectal prolapse as well as severe anemia.
Hookworms are lovers of moisture, heat, they also prefer subtropical, tropical climates, in particular - the territory of Krasnodar. A symptom is a rash at the point where the parasite enters the skin. Complicated by severe anemia.
Dogs are carriers of toxocariasis, the disease is spreading everywhere. The symptoms are:
- abdominal pain;
- reduced vision;
- nervous system disorder;
- allergic reactions.
It can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis reproduces everywhere - on all continents except Antarctica. For a long time, running latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headache. Serious consequences are the disorder of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys. Helminth infestation in children, the symptoms of which are life-threatening for the child, is treated with surgery.
Shivering (reversal, fasciolase) is widespread on the sea shores, in river basins, the main source of infection is fish that have not been treated with heat treatment. The symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, muscle pain, fever and allergic rash. The disease is aggravated by ulcerative gastroduodenitis, cirrhosis of the liver, purulent cholangitis, peritonitis, chronic hepatitis.
The symptoms of childhood helminthiasis are multifaceted, the signs are suitable for many diseases, so it is difficult to use only the clinical picture for diagnosis. More real results are obtained by laboratory research - an analysis for worm eggs, and must be repeated several times.
Age characteristics of the disease
Worms on an infant
Helminths are usually found in preschool children one and a half or two years old. Babies are rarely infected with parasites from an infected mother - during intrauterine development, at the time of birth, during feeding. This usually happens after 6 months, with the start of complementary feeding, active crawling. The child does not lack a single germ, bacteria, parasites. It is much more difficult to detect helminths in infants than in children of different ages. Symptoms and signs of worms in children are manifested:
- child 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.
- paleness, white skin tone,
- shadows under the eyes;
- rashes on the body, mainly on the thighs.
- slight increase in temperature.
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- regular cough, independent of respiratory disease.
Such symptoms in an infant can signal not only the invasion of helminths, but also many other diseases. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to repeat the stool test at regular intervals.
The symptoms of worms in 2 year olds are mostly similar to the common signs of worms. The introduction of larvae and developing forms of worms into the child's body can cause great damage to health, as in babies as soon as the defenses begin to form, the child is unable to resist unwanted attackers. The risk increases due to the fact that children are ready to taste everything without any knowledge of hygiene principles. Regardless of the species of worm, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-olds are similar. This:
- skin rash;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- abundant saliva flow at night during sleep.
- a sudden increase or decrease in appetite, accompanied by a decrease in body weight.
- unexpected nausea, bowel dysfunction.
There are also common signs: irritation in the anus, in girls - in the genital area, poisoning, fatigue, reduced immunity, disturbance of nerve processes.
The symptoms of worms in 3 year olds are identical to the previous ones.
An important factor in the invasion of children from 3 to 5 years old is their visit to kindergartens, as well as contact with pets infected with worms. Children become infected with rarer helminth pathogens when they travel to exotic countries or to relatives who have been there. The rapid penetration of larvae, eggs of parasites into the child's body is facilitated by:
- vitamin deficiency, useful elements.
- lack of protein in food;
- poor quality food;
- reduced immunity.
The symptoms of worms in children as young as 5 years old are similar. On Dr. Komarovsky's website, you can view photo and video material on the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Diagnosis of the disease
The appearance of the first symptoms that indicate a helminthic invasion signals the need for special studies. In clinical practice, considerable attention is paid to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschool children and primary school students. The presumed diagnosis should be confirmed using laboratory research techniques:
- a clinical blood test, which sets the task of finding antibodies to certain parasitic pathogens.
- scraping for enterobiasis and stool analysis, performed three times for correct diagnosis.
- an analysis that evaluates the intestinal microflora.
In a general blood test, they look at the color index. The diagnosis is confirmed on the condition that its index is higher than usual, the number of eosinophils increases, hemoglobin, on the contrary, is reduced 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 result is almost one hundred percent indisputable, reliable, it is still able to determine the type of worms, the damage caused to the baby's body by worms.
The analysis for helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis is performed based on a fecal study. Stool tests for worms do not always work, which is why they are repeated. For the detail of the diagnosis, a biological study of sputum, bile, urine analysis, stool co-program is used. Reversal is determined by examining the contents of the bowel and intubation of the duodenum.
Additional diagnostic techniques include ultrasound of internal organs, x-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. 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 reject the diagnosis of enterobiasis. The sooner the worms are diagnosed and treated in children, the less the baby will suffer.
Treatment of invasions with the traditional method
The serious consequences of helminthiasis force us to approach the treatment of the disease responsibly, contacting specialists - parasitologist or pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 stages.
The preparatory stage consists of the administration of sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby's body of toxic substances that accumulate as a result of the parasite life cycle.
Anthelmintic therapy consists in the selection of drugs depending on age, type of pathogenic microorganisms, stage of the disease. Usually, a single dose of the drug is prescribed in the form of a tablet or suspension. After 2 weeks, the course is repeated.
Anthelmintic drugs are very toxic, so when prescribing them, as many precautions as possible should be taken so as not to harm the child's health. Dosage moderation is of the utmost importance. Self-medication is not recommended, medication must be prescribed by a doctor, who can sometimes prescribe a combination of medications. It is recommended to read carefully the contraindications of the anthelmintic agent.
The cleansing program is performed after the use of anthelmintic drugs, when the parasites die, leaving the body with feces. Right now, there is a huge dip of toxic substances in the baby's body. For cleansing, enemas, absorbents and choleretic drugs are prescribed. After the end of the treatment, it is necessary to do blood and stool tests again. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Folk remedies
Phytotherapists have a long history of rescuing parasitic worms. The prevailing medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these treatments. However, not all give a guaranteed result. It is recommended to coordinate their use with a doctor. The following folk recipes are considered the most effective:
- using pumpkin seeds;
- the use of hemp, pumpkin, linseed oil.
- garlic enema filled with milk.
- using a soda enema;
- carrot juice?
- infusion tansy: 3 tbsp. large. Tansy is poured with a glass of boiling water, insist 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 decoctions, wormwood enemas.
Precautionary measures
To protect a child from helminth infestations, certain rules must be strictly observed:
- teach the baby to wash his hands thoroughly before eating, after a walk.
- systematically cut the nail plates.
- change the suit for the child more often.
- keep clean household items, toys.
- it is not desirable to keep quadrupeds at home.
- teach not to take your fingers, toys in your mouth for a walk.
- once a year to take precautions for the whole family in the form of medication.
Worm infestation is a serious problem. The disease is quite common in the world, children are particularly susceptible to it. The disease can last for years, causing enormous damage to the baby's health. Worms release toxins during their existence, leading to the appearance of various diseases that give the child a lot of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. That is why parents should notice the symptoms in time, to start the treatment with the help of a specialist.