There are many parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Worm infection 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, reduce immunity and damage the abdominal organs.
According to statistics, more than half of the population is infected with parasites, and many more children are infected. The early 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, appearing in nothing and being activated only with a decrease in immunity.
Worm spread
Diseases that provoke bottom 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 impact on the extent of their spread. They are more comfortable in hot tropical countries. The number of parasites also depends on the socio-economic level: in underdeveloped regions with low level of hygiene and medicine, especially many people suffer from helminth infections.
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 the invasions. However, statistics refute this statement: in affluent European countries, the examination finds worms in one-third of patients.
2 million cases of infection are diagnosed annually and the figure of 20 million is based on the circulation of anti-helminthic drugs. 80% of them are children. Helminths are stable, fertile, a female lays 200, 000 eggs a day.
Types of worms
There are a large number of species 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 adapted to inhabit the human body belong to three major categories:
- nematodes belonging to the class of roundworms, most commonly observed in infants (these include breastworm, whipworm, Trichinella, roundworm);
- in tapeworms (flat), listed as cestodes (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- to trematodes or fluke parasites that live and reproduce in the gut but are able to spread through the bloodstream to various human organs. Usually, the intestines, liver, gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are more infected, but the worms reach the muscle tissue, lungs, and even the brain and heart.
In the first place in terms of spread are worms, which are round in diameter and small parameters - no more than 6 mm. They are located in the lower part of the colon. More than 24, 000 species of nematodes are known. The female can lay 150, 000 eggs a day. Systematic movement and their reproduction outside the intestine is the main reason for the risk of secondary infection with enterobiasis.
Ascaris infection, which is in second place in terms of distribution, is natural in preschoolers and young children. Adult worms look threatening: they grow up to 30 cm Females lay about 100 thousand eggs a day. The larvae enter the body through unwashed hands, contaminated food and water. They are transmitted through the bloodstream to all parts of the baby's body and placed in them. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for the body of an unformed child. Ascariasis is often the cause of 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 throughout the body, causing damage to muscle tissue. The consequences of trichinosis are peritonitis, intestinal bleeding.
Sources and methods of invasion
Preventing helminths infection in children is possible if you understand the information regarding the transmission of worms. In reality, there are several possibilities for their penetration into the human body. Most of it gets a person through contact — household or food.
Many believe that strict adherence to the principles of personal hygiene will protect against helminthiasis. Unfortunately, this view 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:
- by the contact-household route, larvae enter the body through infected people, through objects, from animals;
- with the food method, the culprits are unwashed palms, water of dubious purity, contaminated food supplies;
- by way of transmission, worms get from blood-sucking insects;
- most active (percutaneous) - worm testicles cross connective tissue or skin from the ground or from reservoirs during the washing 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 the same way. Eggs, larvae, a part of the body or a whole parasite, when it reaches the human, begins to feed and reproduce, their number in the absence of therapy increases intensively. The health condition of an infected person deteriorates, he becomes the culprit in transmitting the invasion to others.
The most common helminth eggs - roundworms, pinworms, covered with an adhesive capsule, stick tightly to the surface and are held there. The spread is happening fast enough. Once in the palms and fingers, the eggs accumulate under the nails, from where they are transferred to the everyday things that a person uses. This infects all family members and the immediate environment.
Some types of worms are able to penetrate the placenta, infect the fetus in the womb. Getting an infection from a mother suffering from enterobiasis, preferably during childbirth. A breastfed baby can be infected by 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 fully protect against helminthiasis: their larvae live everywhere. However, there is the possibility of reducing the threat of disease to those who observe hygiene requirements, eat food that has undergone heat treatment and regularly undergo preventive treatment for worms.
Identification of helminths
Infection with parasites most often occurs in the warm season, because babies are vigorously exploring their environment, spending all day outside, in the sandbox, spraying through reservoirs, celebrating with berries and fruits directly from the branches, withoutworried about hand washing. and fruits.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, must force a number of obstacles: saliva in the mouth, acidic environment in the stomach, immune defense of the intestines. In children, the defense is much weaker, which is why helminths overcome it more easily. Parents should be aware of the signs of infection in their children. Most of them are aware of a change such 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 child's body poisons him with waste products, therefore one of the main symptoms of the infection is considered to be increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, whimsy. The following general characteristics are characteristic:
- Allergic skin reaction - rash, urticaria, eczema;
- digestive complications - alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, umbilical cord pain;
- decrease in protective immunity, recurrent colds, increase of a fungal infection;
- manifestation of an allergic-toxic response to vaccination;
- decreased hemoglobin levels.
Parents should be especially vigilant about the complex of these signs in a baby, for example, when acute respiratory infections or thrush are difficult to cure. In such cases, it is logical to assume the presence of helminth infestation.
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 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 distinguishing signal is the variability of the nervous and mental well-being of the child.
Symptoms of worms
Worm infection has been 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 filled with inflammation. In girls these symptoms are complemented by enuresis and vulvovaginitis. Appetite changes, bowel movements are upset, the baby coughs, does not sleep well, his nervous system is disturbed.
Manifestation of signs of other worms
Trichocephaly is common in temperate and subtropical climates: whipworms prefer humidity. The signs are not quite typical: the pain resembles attacks of appendicitis, 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.
Breastworms are fond of humidity, heat, they also prefer subtropical, tropical climatic regions, in particular - Krasnodar Territory. One symptom is a rash at the site 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.
May be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis reproduces everywhere - on all continents except Antarctica. For a long time, it goes latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headaches. Serious consequences are damage to the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys. Helminthic invasion in children, whose symptoms are life-threatening, is treated with surgery.
Trematodosis (opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis) is widespread on sea shores, in river basins, the main source of infection is thermally untreated fish. Symptoms of the disease are characterized by jaundice, muscle aches, fever, and allergic rash. The disease is aggravated by ulcerative gastroduodenitis, cirrhosis of the liver, purulent cholecystitis, 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 establish a diagnosis. More real results are obtained from laboratory research - an analysis for worm eggs, and should be repeated several times.
Characteristics of disease age
Worms in a baby
Helminths are usually found in preschoolers a year and a half or two. Babies are rarely infected with parasites by an infected mother - during intrauterine development, at birth, during feeding. This usually occurs after 6 months, with the onset of complementary feeding, active crawling movement. The kid does not lack any germs, 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;
- persistent fatigue, lethargy, general weakness;
- irritation and inflammation in the anal area, and in girls - around the genitals;
- digestive disorders: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain;
- dizziness accompanied by intoxication of the body;
- weight loss, refusal to eat, although there are exceptions;
- pallor, white skin tone,
- shadows under the eyes;
- redness 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 baby can signal not only the invasion of the helminth, but also many other diseases. This is why, to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to do a fecal examination repeatedly at regular intervals.
The symptoms of worms in 2 year olds are largely similar to the usual signs of worms. The introduction of developing larvae and worms into the baby's body can cause great damage to health, as in infants as soon as defenses begin to form, the baby is unable to resist unwanted aggressors. The risk increases for the fact that children are ready to enjoy everything without knowledge on the principles of hygiene. Regardless of the type of worm, the manifestations of helminthiasis in two-year-olds are similar. This:
- skin rash;
- swelling of the lymph nodes;
- large discharge of saliva at night during sleep;
- a sudden increase or decrease in appetite, accompanied by a decrease in body weight;
- sudden 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.
The symptoms of worms in children 3 years old are identical to the previous ones.
An important factor in invading children from 3 to 5 years old is their visit to childcare facilities as well as contact with worm-infected pets. Children become infected with the rarest pathogens of helminthiasis while traveling to exotic places 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;
- poor quality food;
- reduced immunity.
The symptoms of worms in 5 year olds are similar. On the website of Dr. Komarovsky, you can see photo and video materials related to the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Diagnosis of the disease
The appearance of the first symptoms suggesting helminthic infestation signals the need for special studies. In clinical practice, sufficient attention is paid to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschoolers and elementary 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 fecal analysis, performed three times to accurately diagnose;
- an analysis that assesses 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 set one, the number of eosinophils increases, hemoglobin decreases, on the contrary, anemia appears. 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 infallible, reliable, it is even able to identify the type of worms, the damage caused to the baby's body by worms.
Analysis for helminth eggs and dysbacteriosis is performed based on a fecal study. Stool tests for worms do not always give results, so they are performed repeatedly. To detail the diagnosis, a biological study of the analysis of saliva, bile, urine, fecal coprogram is used. Opisthorchiasis is determined by examining the contents of the intestinal and duodenal intubation.
Additional diagnostic techniques include visceral ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography, MRI. They help the specialist 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 sooner worms are diagnosed and treatment for worms in children begins, the less the baby will suffer.
Healing from invasions using the traditional method
The severe consequences of helminthiasis make us have a responsible approach to the treatment of the disease, contacting specialists - a parasitologist or pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 stages.
The preparatory phase consists of prescribing sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby's body of toxic substances accumulated as a result of the parasite life cycle.
Anthelmintic therapy consists in the selection of drugs depending on age, type of pathogens, 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.
Anti-helminthic drugs are very toxic, so during their prescription precautions should be taken as much as possible so as not to harm the health of the child. Dose moderation is of paramount importance. Self-medication is not recommended, medication must be prescribed by a physician, who can sometimes prescribe a combination of medications. It is recommended to carefully read the contraindications of the anthelmintic agent.
The cleansing scheme is performed after the use of anti-helminthic drugs, 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 cleansing, enemas, absorbents, and choleretic medications are prescribed. After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to do blood and stool tests again. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Folk remedies
Herbal healers have a long history of survival from parasitic worms. Conventional medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these medicines. However, not all give a guaranteed result. It is advisable to coordinate their use with a physician. The following popular recipes are considered the most effective:
- using pumpkin seeds;
- use of hemp, pumpkin, flaxseed oil;
- garlic enema filled with milk;
- using a soda enema;
- carrot juice;
- infusion of tansy: 3 tablespoons. l. tansy pour 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 as not to have depression of the nervous system;
- Birch tar;
- herbal infusions, wormwood enemas.
Preventive measures
To protect a child from helminth infestations, some rules must be strictly followed:
- teach the child to wash his hands thoroughly before eating, after a walk;
- systematically trim nail plates;
- change the costume for the baby more often;
- keep household items, toys clean;
- it is undesirable to keep tetrapods at home;
- learn 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 taking medication.
Worm infection 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 great harm 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 worries and unpleasant sensations. This is why parents should notice the symptoms in time, get treatment with the help of a specialist.