There are many forms of parasites that enter the human body and live there. Worm infections in children are one of the most common diseases. Usually their severity is underestimated. They take nutrients from food from babies, cause allergies, uncontrollable intoxication, reduce immunity, and damage stomach organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected with parasites, and among children there are more infected. The early stages of the disease pass without symptoms - in a latent form. Worms in children, the symptoms and treatment of which should be studied and understood by parents, sometimes live in a person for many years, do not manifest themselves in anything, and activate only with a decrease in immunity.
The spread of worms
The disease that triggers the lower worms is called helminthiasis. No one is immune from them, often those who are infected themselves are blamed for the appearance of worms. Climate has the greatest influence on the level of their prevalence. They are most comfortable in hot tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socio-economic level: in less developed areas with low levels of hygiene and medicine, especially many people suffer from helminth attacks.
It is generally accepted that helminthiasis is a characteristic of diseases of the lower social strata that live in unsanitary conditions, have frequent contact with soil or animals - carriers of aggression. However, statistics refute this statement: in prosperous European countries, examination found 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 procurement of antihelminthic drugs. 80% of them are children. Helminths are viable, fertile, one female lays 200 thousand eggs per day.
Types of worms
There are a large number of types of worms - more than 300, 70 of which are typical for our region, the rest are brought by tourists from exotic countries. All types of parasites that are adapted to inhabit the human body fall into three major categories:
- nematodes belonging to the class of roundworms, most often observed in infants (these include cream worms, whip worms, Trichinella, ringworms);
- to tapeworms (flat), staged as cestodes (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- to trematodes or fluke parasites that live and multiply in the intestine, but can be transmitted through the bloodstream to various human organs. Usually, the intestines, liver, gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are most commonly infected, but the worms reach muscle tissue, lungs, and even the brain and heart.
In the first place in terms of prevalence are pinworms, which are round in diameter and small parameters - no more than 6 mm. They are localized in the lower part of the colon. More than 24 thousand species of nematodes are known. Females can lay 150 thousand eggs per day. Systematic movement and their reproduction outside the intestine is a major cause of the risk of secondary infection with enterobiasis.
Ascaris infestation, which is in second place in terms of distribution, is present in preschool children and younger school children. Adult worms look threatening: they grow up to 30 cm, females lay about 100 thousand eggs per day. Larvae enter the body through unwashed hands, dirty food and water. It is transmitted through the bloodstream to all parts of a child’s body and settles in it. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for the unformed child's body. Ascariasis is often the cause of allergic reactions in children.
Trichinella is not very common in children. They are the causative agents of trichinosis, which are characterized by the lightning -fast transfer of eggs through the body, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequence of trichinosis is peritonitis, intestinal bleeding.
Sources and methods of aggression
Prevention of infection with helminths in children is possible if you understand the information about the transmission of worms. In fact, there are several possibilities for its penetration into the human body. It mostly reaches a person through 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 most at risk of being infected because of close contact with the perpetrator. Each source of intrusion has its own characteristics:
- by the route of household contact, larvae enter the body through infected persons, through objects, from animals;
- with dietary methods, the cause is unwashed palms, water of dubious purity, supply of infected food;
- by transmission route, worms get from blood -sucking insects;
- actively (percutaneous) - worm testicles overtake connective tissue or skin from the soil or from a reservoir during the bathing process. Sometimes larvae in the air, along with dust particles, enter the respiratory system.
Despite the diversity of worm species, children are infected in a similar way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or the whole parasite, when it reaches a person, begin to feed and reproduce, their number in the absence of therapy increases intensively. The health condition of the infected person worsens, he becomes the cause in the transmission of aggression to others.
The eggs of the most common helminths - ringworms, pinworms, covered with sticky capsules, firmly attached to the surface and held there. The spread took place soon. Once in the palms and fingers, the egg accumulates under the nail, from where it is transferred to the daily things a person uses. This is how all family members and the immediate environment are infected.
Some types of worms are able to penetrate the placenta, infecting the fetus in the womb. Getting an infection from a mother with enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A breastfed child can be infected from a sick relative, even if 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 intercourse or kissing, and contraceptives in this case are useless.
It is impossible to completely protect themselves from helminthiasis: their larvae live everywhere. However, it is possible to reduce the risk of disease for those who adhere to hygiene requirements, eat foods that have undergone heat treatment, and regularly undergo worm prevention treatment.
Identification of helminths
Parasitic infections most often occur in the summer, as babies diligently explore their surroundings, spend all day outside, in the sandbox, splashing in the reservoir, eating berries and fruits straight from the branches, without having to worry about washinghands. and fruits.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, have to force several obstacles: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, intestinal immune defenses. In children, protection is much weaker, which is why helminths cope with it more easily. Parents should be aware of the signs of infection in their children. Most of them are aware of differences such as grinding teeth at night, although this is not the only indicator. How to understand that children have 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 to be increased fatigue, dizziness, reluctance to eat, cravings. The following common features are features:
- allergic skin reactions - rash, urticaria, eczema;
- digestive complications - alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, pain in the center;
- decreased protective immunity, recurrent influenza, exacerbation of fungal infections;
- manifestations of allergic-toxic reactions to vaccination;
- decreased hemoglobin levels.
Parents should be especially careful about the complex of these symptoms in infants, for example, when an acute respiratory infection or thrush is difficult to cure. In such cases, it is logical to assume the presence of helminth invasion.
In addition to the general symptoms of infection with worms, there are individual signs of the presence of certain parasites in children.
Symptoms of Ascaris
The main symptom of ascariasis in children is tuberculosis with worms in children, combined with a skin rash, and two weeks later-the manifestation of general indicators of intoxication, pain in the abdominal cavity. A distinctive signal is the variability of a child’s nervous and mental well-being.
Symptoms of cream worms
Cream 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 accompanied by enuresis and vulvovaginitis. Appetite changes, stools are disturbed, the baby coughs, does not sleep well, his nervous system is disturbed.
Manifestations of other worm signs
Trichocephalosis is common in temperate, subtropical climates: whip worms prefer moisture. The symptoms are not so typical: the pain resembles an attack of appendicitis, the baby often has a desire to defecate, and symptoms of colitis are observed. The result can be rectal prolapse, as well as severe anemia.
Mine worms are lovers of moisture, heat, they also prefer subtropical regions, tropical climates, in particular - Krasnodar Territory. The symptom is a rash where the parasite enters the skin. Complicated with severe anemia.
Dogs are carriers of toxocariasis, the disease spreads everywhere. The symptoms are:
- pain in the abdominal area;
- decreased vision;
- nervous system disorders;
- allergic reactions.
It can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis breeds everywhere - on all continents, except Antarctica. For a long time, it runs latent, symptoms of nervous disorders, headaches. Serious consequences are disorders of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys. Helminthic invasion in children, a life-threatening symptom of children, is treated with surgery.
Trematodosis (opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis) is widespread on sea shores, in river basins, the main source of infection is fish that are not thermally treated. The symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, muscle aches, fever, and allergic rash. The disease is exacerbated by ulcerative gastroduodenitis, liver cirrhosis, purulent cholangitis, peritonitis, chronic hepatitis.
The symptoms of childhood helminthiasis are polymorphic, the symptoms of which are suitable for many diseases, so it is difficult to use only the clinical picture to make a diagnosis. More real results are obtained by laboratory research - analysis for worm eggs, and it must be repeated several times.
Age characteristics of the disease
Worms in babies
Usually helminths are found in preschool children aged one and a half or two years. Babies are rarely infected with parasites from infected mothers - during intrauterine development, during childbirth, during breastfeeding. This usually occurs after 6 months, with the onset of complementary feeding, active crawling movements. The child did not miss a single microbe, bacteria, parasite. It is more difficult to detect helminths in infants than in children of different ages. Symptoms and signs of worms in children are shown:
- children's anxiety, disturbed sleep;
- persistent fatigue, lethargy, general weakness;
- irritation and inflammation in the anal area, and in girls - around the genitals;
- digestive disorders: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, colic;
- dizziness associated with body intoxication;
- weight loss, refusal to eat, although there are exceptions;
- pale, white color on the skin,
- shadows under the eyes;
- rash on the body, especially on the thighs;
- insignificant increase in temperature;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- common cough, free from respiratory diseases.
Such symptoms in infants can signal not only the invasion of helminths, but also many other diseases. That is why, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to take repeated stool examinations at certain intervals.
The symptoms of worms in 2-year-old children are mostly similar to the usual signs of worms. The introduction of larvae and developing forms of worms into a child’s body can cause great damage to health, because in infants a new defense begins to form, the child is unable to withstand unwanted invaders. The risk increases due to the fact that children are willing to taste everything without knowledge of the principles of hygiene. Regardless of the type of worm, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-old children are similar. this:
- rash on the skin;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- profuse saliva flow at night during sleep;
- a sudden increase or decrease in appetite, accompanied by weight loss;
- unexpected nausea, intestinal dysfunction.
There are also common symptoms: irritation in the anus, in girls-in the genital area, intoxication, fatigue, decreased immunity, disorders of nervous processes.
The symptoms of worms in 3-year-old children are similar to those before.
An important factor in the aggression of children aged 3 to 5 years is their visits to childcare facilities, as well as contact with worm-infected pets. Children become infected with the helminthiasis pathogen less frequently 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:
- lack of vitamins, useful elements;
- lack of protein from food;
- low quality food;
- diminished immunity.
The symptoms of worms in 5-year-old children 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 indicating helminthic invasion indicates the need for special studies. In clinical practice, adequate attention is given to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschool children and primary school students. The presumptive diagnosis must be confirmed using laboratory research techniques:
- clinical blood tests, which set the task of finding antibodies to specific pathogens of the parasite;
- scraping for enterobiasis and fecal analysis, performed three times to correctly diagnose;
- analysis that assesses the intestinal microflora.
On general blood tests, they look at color indicators. The diagnosis is confirmed on the condition that the index is higher than prescribed, the number of eosinophils increases, hemoglobin, on the other hand, decreases, and anemia is expressed. Blood tests for enzyme -linked immunosorbent tests for parasites were performed on an empty stomach from a vein. The effect is almost one hundred percent undeniable, reliable, even able to identify the type of worm, the harm caused by worms to the baby's body.
Analysis for helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis was performed based on fecal studies. Fecal testing for worms does not always give results, which is why it is done repeatedly. To detail the diagnosis, biological studies of sputum, bile, urine analysis, stool coprogram were used. Opisthorchiasis is determined by examining the contents of intestinal and duodenal intubation.
Additional diagnostic techniques include internal organ ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography, MRI. They help specialists to determine the presence of helminths in internal organs. The combination of these studies makes it possible to confirm or deny the diagnosis of enterobiasis. The sooner a diagnosis is made and treatment for worms in children is started, the less the baby’s health will suffer.
Healing from aggression using traditional methods
The serious consequences of helminthiasis make us take a responsible approach to the treatment of the disease, contacting a specialist - parasitologist or pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 stages.
The preparatory stage consists of the appointment of sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby’s body of toxic substances accumulated as a result of the life cycle of the parasite.
Anthelmintic therapy consists of drug selection depending on age, type of pathogen, stage of the disease. Usually, a one -time receipt of the drug in the form of tablets or suspensions is prescribed. After 2 weeks, the course was repeated.
Antihelminthic drugs are very toxic, which is why, when prescribing them, precautions should be taken as much as possible so as not to endanger the health of the child. Simplicity of dosage is very important. Self-medication is not recommended, medication should be prescribed by a doctor, who can sometimes prescribe a combination of medications. It is recommended that you read carefully the contraindications of anthelmintic agents.
The cleansing scheme is carried out after the use of antihelminthic drugs, when the parasites die, leaving the body with feces. At this time, there is a large splash of toxic substances into the baby's body. For cleansing, an enema is prescribed, the intake of absorbents and choleretic medications. After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to take blood and stool tests again. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Restoration of the people
Herbal healers have a long history of safety against parasitic worms. Mainstream medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these drugs. However, not all of them provide guaranteed results. It is advisable to coordinate its use with a doctor. The following folk recipes are considered the most effective:
- using pumpkin seeds;
- use of flax, pumpkin, flaxseed oil;
- garlic enema added with milk;
- use a soda enema;
- carrot juice;
- tansy absorption: 3 tbsp. l. tansy is poured with a glass of boiling water, insist for an hour, the infusion is given to children to drink 1 liter of dessert. three times a day; excessive is unacceptable so that there is no depression of the nervous system;
- Tar birch;
- herbal infusion, wormwood enema.
Preventive measures
To protect children from helminthic invasion, certain rules must be strictly followed:
- teach babies to wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after walking;
- trim the nail plate systematically;
- change clothes for children more often;
- maintain the cleanliness of household items, toys;
- it is undesirable to keep tetrapods indoors;
- teach not to take fingers, toys in your mouth for a walk;
- once a year to carry out prophylaxis for the whole family in the form of medication intake.
Worm attacks are a serious problem. The disease is quite common in the world, children are very susceptible to it. The disease can last for years, causing great harm to the health of the baby. The worm releases toxins in the course of its existence, which leads to the emergence of various diseases that give children a lot of discomfort and unpleasant sensations. That is why parents should look at the symptoms in time, taking treatment with the help of a specialist.