There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Worm infection in children is one of the most common diseases. Their severity is usually underestimated. They remove nutrients from children's food, cause allergies, intractable intoxication, reduce immunity 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 initial stage of the disease passes without symptoms - in a latent form. Worms in children, the symptoms and treatment of which parents should learn and understand, sometimes live in a person for many years, do not manifest themselves in anything and are activated only with a decrease in immunity.
Spread of worms
Diseases that provoke the lower worms are called helminthiasis. No one is immune from them, often the infected themselves are responsible for the appearance of worms. The climate has the greatest influence on the degree of their prevalence. They are more comfortable in warm tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socio-economic level: in underdeveloped regions with a low level of hygiene and medicine, especially many people suffer from helminth infestations.
It is generally accepted that helminthiasis is a disease characteristic of the lower social strata living in unsanitary conditions, having frequent contact with the land or animals - carriers of invasions. However, the statistics refute this statement: in prosperous European countries, the examination finds worms in one third of patients.
2 million cases of infection are diagnosed each year and the figure of 20 million is based on the turnover of anthelmintic drugs. 80% of them are children. Helminths are viable, fertile, a female lays 200 thousand eggs per day.
Types of worms
There is a large number of types of worms: more than 300, 70 of which 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:
- roundworms belonging to the class of roundworms, most often observed in children (including pinworms, whipworms, Trichinella, roundworms);
- tape worms (flat), classified as tapeworms (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- fluke flukes or parasites that live and reproduce in the intestine, but are capable of being transported through the bloodstream to various human organs. Usually, the intestines, liver, gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are the most infected, but the worms reach the muscle tissue, lungs, even the brain and heart.
In the first place in terms of prevalence there are pinworms, 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, 000 eggs per 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 preschool children and younger schoolchildren. Adult worms look threatening: they grow up to 30 cm, and the female lays about 100 thousand eggs per day. The larvae enter the body through unwashed hands, dirty food and water. They are transmitted by the bloodstream to all parts of the baby's body and are deposited in them. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for the body of an unformed child. Ascariasis is often the culprit of an allergic reaction in children.
Trichinella is not that common in children. They are the causative agents of trichinosis, characterized by the lightning-fast transfer of eggs 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 the transmission of worms. In fact, there are several possibilities for their penetration into the human body. Most come to a person by household or food contact.
Many believe that strict adherence to the principles of personal hygiene will protect against helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this opinion is wrong. Children are more at risk of infection due to close contact with the culprits. Each of the sources of invasion has its own characteristics:
- with the way of contact-domestic, 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, infected food supplies;
- with the path of transmission, the worms come from bloodsucking insects;
- with active (percutaneous) - the testicles of worms outgrow the connective tissues or skin from the soil or reservoirs during the bathing process. Sometimes the larvae in the air, along with the dust particles, enter the respiratory system.
Despite the species diversity of worms, children are infected with them in much the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or a whole parasite, when it gets to 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 in transmitting the invasion to others.
The eggs of the most common helminths - nematodes, pinworms, covered with a sticky capsule, firmly adhere to the surface and are held there. The spread is happening pretty soon. Once on the palms and fingers, the eggs accumulate under the nails, from where they are transferred to the everyday things a person uses. This is how all family members and the surrounding environment are infected.
Some types of worms are able to penetrate the placenta, infect the fetus in the uterus. Getting an infestation from a mother suffering from enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A nursing baby can become infected with 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 - their larvae live everywhere. However, there is a potential to reduce the threat of disease for those who comply with hygiene requirements, eat food that has undergone heat treatment, and regularly undergo preventive worming treatment.
Identification of helminths
Pest infection occurs most often in the warm season, because children vigorously explore their surroundings, spend the whole day outdoors, in the sandbox, splash around in water basins, feast on berries and fruits straight from the branches, without worry about washing hands and fruits.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, have 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 such a difference as grinding their teeth at night, although this is not the only indicator. How to understand that a child has worms? You should pay attention to the symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Worms
The presence of helminths in the child's body poisons him with waste products, which is why one of the main symptoms of the infection is considered increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, tantrums. The following general features are characteristic:
- allergic skin reaction - rash, hives, eczema;
- digestive complications - alternation of 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;
- decrease in hemoglobin levels.
Parents should pay special attention to the complex of these signs in a child, for example, when acute respiratory infections or thrush are difficult to heal. In such cases, it is logical to assume the presence of a 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 Roundworms
The key 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 distinctive sign is the variability of the child's nervous and mental 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 stool is upset, the baby is coughing, he does not sleep well, his nervous system is upset.
Manifestation of signs of other worms
Whipworm is common in temperate and subtropical climates: whipworms prefer humidity. The signs are not entirely typical: the pain resembles the attacks of appendicitis, the child often has an urge to defecate, and symptoms of colitis are observed. The consequence can be rectal prolapse and severe anemia.
Hookworms are lovers of moisture, heat, they also prefer subtropical and tropical climatic regions, especially 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 occurs everywhere, on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. For a long time, it is latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headaches. The serious consequences are the disruption of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, 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 untreated fish. Symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, body aches, fever and allergic rash. The disease is aggravated by ulcerative gastroduodenitis, liver cirrhosis, purulent cholangitis, peritonitis, chronic hepatitis.
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 real results are obtained from laboratory research - an analysis for worm eggs, and it must be repeated several times.
Age features of the disease
Worms in a newborn
Helminths are usually found in preschoolers aged one and a half or two. Babies are rarely infected with parasites from an infected mother - during intrauterine development, at the time of childbirth, during feeding. This usually happens after 6 months, with the onset of complementary feeding, active crawling. The child does not lack a single microbe, bacterium, parasite. It is much more difficult to detect helminths in newborns than in children of different ages. Symptoms and signs of worms in children are manifested:
- anxiety of the child, 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 tinge 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 diseases.
Such symptoms in a child can signal not only the invasion of helminths, but also many other diseases. That is why, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to repeatedly carry out a fecal examination at a certain interval.
Symptoms of worms in 2-year-olds are mostly similar to common worm signs. The introduction of larval and developing forms of worms into the child's body can cause serious harm to health, since in children the defenses are just beginning to form, the child is unable to resist unwanted aggressors. The risk is increased by 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-olds are similar. This:
- rash on the skin;
- 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, intestinal dysfunction.
There are also common signs: irritation in the anus, in girls - in the genital area, intoxication, fatigue, decreased immunity, disturbance of nervous processes.
Symptoms of worms in 3-year-olds are identical to the previous ones.
An important factor in the invasion of children aged 3 to 5 is their visit to childcare facilities, as well as contact with worm-infected pets. Children become infected with rarer pathogens of helminthiasis during a trip 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:
- deficiency of vitamins, 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 on the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Diagnosis of the disease
The appearance of the first symptoms suggesting a helminthic invasion signals 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 presumed diagnosis must be confirmed using laboratory research techniques:
- a clinical blood test, which assigns the task of finding antibodies to certain pathogens of parasites;
- scraping for enterobiasis 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 provided that its index is higher than the established one, the number of eosinophils is increased, hemoglobin, on the contrary, is reduced, and anemia is expressed. A blood test for an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test for parasites is done 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 child's body by worms.
The analysis for helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis is carried out on the basis of a study of feces. Stool tests for worms do not always give a result, which is why 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, 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 deny the diagnosis of enterobiasis. The earlier the diagnosis is made and the treatment of worms in babies begins, the less the health of the baby will be affected.
Healing from invasions with the traditional method
The serious consequences of helminthiasis make us take a responsible approach to the treatment of 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 child's body from toxic substances accumulated due to the life cycle of parasites.
Anthelmintic therapy consists in the selection of drugs based on age, the type of pathogens, the stage of the disease. A one-time receipt of the drug in the form of a tablet or suspension is usually prescribed. After 2 weeks, the course is repeated.
Anthelmintic drugs are very toxic, which is why, when prescribing them, it is necessary to take as many precautions as possible so as not to harm the health of the baby. Moderation of dosage is of paramount 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 to 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 huge splash of toxic substances in the baby's body. For cleansing, enemas, taking sorbents and choleretic drugs are prescribed. After the end of the course of treatment, it is necessary to repeat blood and stool tests. If there are complications, the child is registered for 3 years.
Folk remedies
Herbal healers have a long history of being safe from parasitic worms. Traditional medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these remedies. However, not all of them 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 supplemented with milk;
- using a soda enema;
- carrot juice;
- infusion of tansy: 3 tbsp. L. 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; overdose is unacceptable so that there is no depression of the nervous system;
- birch tar;
- herbal infusions, wormwood enemas.
Preventive measures
To protect a child from helminthic invasions, you need to strictly follow some rules:
- teaches the child to wash his hands thoroughly before eating, after a walk;
- systematically cut nails;
- change the costume for the child more often;
- keep household items, toys clean;
- it is undesirable to keep tetrapods in the house;
- teaches not to take fingers, toys in the mouth for a walk;
- once a year to carry out 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 sensitive to it. The disease can last for years, causing enormous damage to the health of the child. Worms release toxins in the course of their existence, leading to the appearance of various diseases that give the baby 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.