There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live in it. Worm infection in children is one of the most common illnesses. Its severity is usually underestimated. They take nutrients from babies' food, cause allergies, intractable intoxications, reduce immunity and damage abdominal organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected with parasites, and among children there is much more infection. The early stage of the disease passes without symptoms - in a latent form. Worms in children, whose symptoms and treatment parents must learn and understand, sometimes live in a person for many years, manifesting in nothing and activating only with diminished immunity.
worm propagation
The diseases that cause the lower worms are called helminthiasis. Nobody is immune to them, often the infected themselves are to blame for the appearance of worms. The climate has the greatest influence on the degree of its prevalence. They are most comfortable in warm tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socioeconomic level: in underdeveloped regions with low levels of hygiene and medicines, especially many people suffer from helminth infestations.
It is generally accepted that helminthiasis is a characteristic disease of lower social classes who live in unhealthy conditions, having frequent contact with land or animals - carriers of invasions. However, statistics refute this claim: in prosperous European countries, the test finds worms in a third of patients.
2 million cases of infection are diagnosed annually, and the figure of 20 million is based on turnover of anthelmintic drugs. 80% of them are children. Helminths are viable, fertile, a female lays 200, 000 eggs a day.
Types of worms
There are many 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 class of roundworms, most often seen in infants (these include moths, whipworms, Trichinella, roundworms);
- to trap worms (flat), classified as cestodes (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- to trematodes or parasites of parasites that live and reproduce in the intestine but can be transported through the bloodstream to various human organs. Normally, 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, in terms of prevalence, are pinworms, which are round in diameter and minuscule parameters - no more than 6 mm. They are located at the bottom of the colon. More than 24, 000 species of nematodes are known. The female can lay 150, 000 eggs a day. Its 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 schoolchildren. Adult worms have a menacing appearance: they grow up to 30 cm. The female lays about 100, 000 eggs a day. Larvae enter the body through dirty hands, dirty food and water. They are transmitted through the bloodstream to all parts of the child's body and settle there. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous to the body of an untrained child. Ascariasis is often to blame for an allergic reaction in children.
Trichinella is not so common in children. They are the causative agents of trichinosis, characterized by the rapid transfer of eggs through the body, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequences of trichinosis are peritonitis, intestinal bleeding.
Intrusion Sources and Methods
Prevention of helminth infection in children is possible if you understand the information about worm transmission. In reality, there are several possibilities for its penetration into the human body. Most reach a person through household or food contact.
Many believe that strict adherence to personal hygiene principles will protect against helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this opinion is wrong. Children are at greater risk of infection due to close contact with the culprits. Each of the intrusion sources has its own characteristics:
- with the contact-home route, larvae enter the body through infected people, things, animals;
- with the method of food, the culprits are dirty palm trees, water of doubtful purity, contaminated food;
- with the transmission path, worms are transmitted by blood-sucking insects;
- with active (percutaneous) - the testicles of the worms overcome the connective tissues or skin of the soil or reservoirs during the bathing process. Sometimes, airborne larvae, along with dust particles, enter the respiratory system.
Despite the diversity of worm species, children are infected with them in the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or a whole parasite, when it reaches a person, it starts to feed and reproduce, its number in the absence of therapy increases intensely. The health condition of an infected person worsens, he becomes the culprit in transmitting the invasion to other people.
The eggs of the most common helminths - roundworms, worms, covered with a sticky capsule, adhere firmly to the surface and are kept there. The propagation is happening soon. Once on the palms and fingers, the eggs accumulate under the nails, where they are transferred to everyday things a person uses. This is how all family members and the immediate environment are infected.
Certain types of worms are able to penetrate the placenta and infect the fetus in the uterus. Receiving an infestation from a mother suffering from enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A child who is breastfeeding can be infected by sick relatives, although the disease is not transmitted through breast milk. There are also atypical 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 against helminthiasis: their larvae live everywhere. However, there is the possibility of reducing the risk of illnesses for those who comply with hygiene requirements, eat foods that have undergone heat treatment and regularly undergo preventive treatment against worms.
Identification of helminths
Parasite infection occurs most often in the warm season because babies are vigorously exploring their surroundings, spending the entire day outdoors, in the litter box, splashing in reservoirs, feasting on berries and fruits straight from the branches, without being worry about washing your hands. and fruits.
In adults, the worms, before entering the body, must force a series of obstacles: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, intestinal immune defenses. In children, protection is much weaker, which is why helminths overcome it more easily. Parents should be on the lookout for signs of infestation in their children. Most of them are aware of the difference, such as grinding their teeth at night, although this is not the only indicator. How to understand that a child has worms? You must pay attention to the symptoms.
Common worm symptoms
The presence of helminths in the child's body poisons them with residues, which is why one of the main symptoms of the infection is increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, whims. The following general features are characteristic:
- allergic skin reaction - rash, hives, eczema;
- digestive complications - alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, navel pain;
- 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 vigilant about the complexity of these signs in an infant, for example, when acute respiratory infections or thrush 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 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 rash, and two weeks later - the manifestation of general indicators of intoxication, pain in the abdominal cavity. A distinct sign is the variability of the child's nervous and mental well-being.
pinworm symptoms
Worm infection is reported as dehydration of the oral cavity. Infected children complain of irritation in the anal region, especially at night. The child scratches this surface, which is inflamed. In girls, these symptoms are complemented by enuresis and vulvovaginitis. Appetite changes, stool is disturbed, the baby coughs, does not sleep well, the nervous system is disturbed.
Manifestation of signs of other worms
Trichocephalosis is common in temperate and subtropical climates: whipworms prefer moisture. The signs are not very typical: the pain resembles appendicitis attacks, the baby often wants to defecate, and symptoms of colitis are seen. The consequence can be rectal prolapse as well as severe anemia.
Hookworms are lovers of moisture, heat, they also prefer subtropical tropical climate 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 region;
- decreased vision;
- nervous system disorder;
- Allergic reactions.
It can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis reproduces everywhere - on every continent except Antarctica. For a long time it runs latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headache. Serious consequences are disorders of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys. Helminthic invasion in children, whose symptoms are fatal to the child, is treated with surgery.
Trematodosis (opistorchiasis, fascioliasis) is widespread on the coast of the seas, in hydrographic basins, the main source of infection is fish that are 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 infantile helminthiasis are polymorphic, the signs are suitable for many diseases, so it is difficult to use just the clinical picture to make the diagnosis. More real results are obtained by laboratory research - an analysis for worm eggs, and must be repeated over and over again.
Disease Age Characteristics
worms in a child
Helminths are typically found in preschoolers aged 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 after 6 months, with the start of complementary feeding, active crawling movement. The child does not lose a single microbe, bacteria, parasite. It is much more difficult to detect helminths in babies than in children of other ages. The 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 body intoxication;
- weight loss, refusal to eat, although there are exceptions;
- pallor, white skin color,
- shadows under eyes;
- rashes on the body, especially on the thighs;
- insignificant increase in temperature;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- regular cough, regardless of respiratory disease.
These symptoms in a child can signal not only the invasion of helminths but many other diseases as well. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to perform the fecal exam repeatedly at a certain interval.
Worm symptoms in 2-year-olds are mostly similar to common worm signs. The introduction of larvae and developing forms of worms in the child's body can cause great damage to health, since in babies the defenses are just beginning to form, the child cannot resist unwanted aggressors. The risk increases due to the fact that children are ready to taste everything without any knowledge of hygiene principles. Regardless of the type of worms, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-old children are similar. This:
- skin rash;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- copious flow of saliva 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, intoxication, fatigue, decreased immunity, disturbance of the nervous processes.
The symptoms of worms in children aged 3 years are the same as before.
An important factor in the invasion of children aged 3 to 5 years is going to day care centers, as well as contact with animals infected with worms. Children become infected with the rarest helminthiasis pathogens when traveling to exotic countries or from relatives who have been there. The rapid penetration of larvae, parasite eggs in 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 5-year-olds are similar. On Dr. Komarovsky's website, you can view material with photos and videos on the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
disease diagnosis
The appearance of the first symptoms suggestive of helminth invasion signals the need for special studies. In clinical practice, sufficient attention is given to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschoolers and elementary school students. The presumptive diagnosis must be confirmed using laboratory research techniques:
- a clinical blood test, which sets the task of finding antibodies to certain parasitic pathogens;
- scaling for enterobiasis and analysis of feces, performed three times for correct diagnosis;
- an analysis that assesses 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 established, the number of eosinophils is increased, hemoglobin, on the contrary, is reduced and anemia is expressed. A blood test for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for parasites is done on the empty stomach of a vein. The effect is almost a hundred percent unmistakable, reliable, it is even able to identify the type of worms, the damage done to the baby's body by the worms.
The analysis of helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis is based on a fecal study. Stool tests for worms do not always give results, which is why they are performed repeatedly. To detail the diagnosis, a biological study of sputum, bile, urine analysis and stool coprogram is used. Opistorchiasis is determined by examining the bowel contents and by duodenal intubation.
Additional diagnostic techniques include ultrasound of internal organs, X-rays, CT scan, MRI. They help the specialist to determine the presence of helminths in Organs internal organs. The combination of these studies allows confirming or denying the diagnosis of enterobiasis. The sooner the diagnosis is made and the treatment of worms started in children, the less the baby's health will suffer.
Invasion cure using the traditional method
The serious consequences of helminthiasis make us have a responsible attitude in the treatment of the disease, contacting specialists - a parasitologist or pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 steps.
The preparatory stage consists of the indication of sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby's body of toxic substances accumulated as a result of the life cycle of the parasites.
Anthelmintic therapy consists of selecting drugs according to age, type of pathogen and stage of disease. Typically, a one-time delivery of the drug in the form of a pill or suspension is prescribed. After 2 weeks the course is repeated.
Anthelmintic drugs are very toxic, so when prescribing them, the greatest possible care should be taken not to harm the child's health. Moderation of dosage is of paramount importance. Self-medication is not recommended, the drug must be prescribed by a doctor, who may sometimes prescribe a combination of drugs. Careful reading of the contraindications of the anthelmintic agent is recommended.
The cleansing scheme is carried out after using anthelmintics, when the parasites die, leaving the body with feces. At this point, there is a large splash of toxic substances in the baby's body. For cleaning, enemas, absorbents and choleretic medications are prescribed. After the end of the treatment, it is necessary to do the blood and stool tests again. If there are complications, the baby has been registered for 3 years.
folk remedies
Herbal healers have a long history of saving parasitic worms. Traditional medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these remedies. However, not all give a guaranteed result. It is advisable to coordinate its use with a physician. The following folk recipes are considered to be 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. I. tansy is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for an hour, the infusion is given to the child to drink 1 liter of dessert. three times a day; the overdose is unacceptable so that there is no nervous system depression;
- Birch tar;
- herbal infusions, wormwood enemas.
Preventive measures
To protect a child from helminth invasions, certain rules must be strictly followed:
- teach the baby to wash his hands well before eating, after a walk;
- systematically trim the nail plates;
- change the child's outfit more often;
- keep household items, toys clean;
- it is undesirable to keep tetrapods at home;
- teach not to take fingers, toys in your mouth for a walk;
- once a year to take prophylaxis 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 especially susceptible to it. The disease can last for years, causing enormous damage to the baby's health. The worms release toxins throughout their existence, leading to the appearance of various diseases that provide the child with a lot of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. That's why parents should notice the symptoms in time, start treatment with the help of a specialist.