There are a lot of parasitic forms that enter the human body and live there. Infection with worms in children is one of the most common diseases. Usually their severity is underestimated. They take away nutrients from food from babies, 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 much 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 should learn and understand, sometimes live in a person for many years, not manifesting themselves in anything, and activating 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 to blame for the appearance of worms. The climate has the greatest influence on the degree of their prevalence. They are most comfortable in hot 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 low social strata living in unsanitary conditions, having frequent contact with the land or animals - carriers of invasions. However, statistics refute this statement: in prosperous European countries, the examination finds worms in a third of patients.
2 million cases of infection are diagnosed annually, and the figure of 20 million is based on the turnover of antihelminthic drugs. 80% of them are children. Helminths are viable, fertile, one 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 adapted to inhabit the human body belong to three large categories:
- nematodes belonging to the class of round worms, most often observed in babies (these include pinworm, whipworm, Trichinella, roundworm);
- to tape (flat) worms, ranked as cestodes (these include tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci);
- to trematodes or fluke parasites that live and reproduce in the intestine, but are able to be delivered through the blood flow to various human organs. Usually, the intestines, liver, gallbladder adjacent to the stomach are most infected, but worms get to muscle tissue, lungs, even the brain and heart.
In the first place in terms of prevalence are pinworms, which are round in diameter and tiny 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. The female can lay 150 thousand eggs per day. Their systematic movement and reproduction abroad of the intestine is the main reason for the risk of secondary infection with enterobiasis.
Ascaris infestation, which is in second place in terms of distribution, is inherent in preschoolers and younger schoolchildren. Adult worms look menacing: they grow up to 30 cm. 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 blood stream to all parts of the child's body and settle in them. This type of helminthiasis is quite dangerous for an unformed child's body. 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-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
The prevention of infection with helminths in children is possible if you understand the information about the transmission of worms. In reality, there are several possibilities for their penetration into the human body. Most of it gets to a person by contact-household or alimentary way.
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 infection due to close contact with the culprits. Each of the sources of invasion has its own characteristics:
- with the contact-household route, the larvae enter the body through infected people, through things, from animals;
- with the alimentary method, the culprits are unwashed palms, water of dubious purity, infected food supplies;
- with the transmission path, worms get from bloodsucking insects;
- with active (percutaneous) - the testes of the worms overcome the connective tissues or skin from the soil or from 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 about the same way. Eggs, larvae, part of the body or a whole parasite, when it gets to a person, begins to feed and reproduce, their number in the absence of therapy increases intensively. The state of health of an infected person worsens, he becomes the culprit in the transmission of the invasion to others.
The eggs of the most common helminths - roundworm, pinworms, covered with a sticky capsule, firmly adhere to the surface and are held there. The spread is happening soon enough. Once on the palms and fingers, eggs accumulate under the nails, from where they are transferred to everyday things that a person uses. This is how all family members and the immediate environment become infected.
Certain types of worms are able to penetrate the placenta, infect the fetus in utero. Getting an infestation from a mother suffering from enterobiasis, possibly during childbirth. A nursing child can be infected from 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 oneself from helminthiasis: their larvae live everywhere. However, there is a possibility of reducing the threat of disease for those who comply with hygiene requirements, eat food that has undergone heat treatment, and regularly undergo preventive treatment of worms.
Identification of helminths
Infection with parasites most often occurs in the warm season, because babies are vigorously exploring their surroundings, spending the whole day outside, in the sandbox, splashing around in reservoirs, feasting on berries and fruits directly from the branches, without worrying about washing their hands and fruits.
In adults, worms, before entering the body, need to force a number 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 easier. Parents should be aware of the signs of infestation in their children. Most of them are aware of such a difference as grinding 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 infection is considered to be increased fatigue, dizziness, refusal to eat, whims. The following general features are characteristic:
- allergic skin reaction - rashes, urticaria, eczema;
- digestive complications - alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, nausea, pain in the navel;
- decrease in protective immunity, repeated colds, the addition 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 heal. 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 a certain parasite in a child.
Ascaris symptoms
The key 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 indicators of intoxication, soreness of the abdominal cavity. A distinctive signal is the variability of the child's nervous and mental well-being.
Pinworm symptoms
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 coughs, does not sleep well, his nervous system is upset.
Manifestation of signs of other worms
Trichocephalosis is common in temperate, subtropical climates: whipworms prefer humidity. The signs are not quite typical: the pain resembles attacks of appendicitis, the baby often has a urge 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 climatic regions, in particular - the Krasnodar Territory. A symptom is a rash at the place 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;
- disorder of the nervous system;
- allergic reactions.
It can be complicated by bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma.
Echinococcosis reproduces everywhere - on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. For a long time, it runs latent, the symptoms are nervous disorders, headache. Serious consequences are disruption of the brain, lungs, liver, heart, kidneys. Helminthic invasion in children, the symptoms of which are life-threatening to 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 thermally untreated fish. The 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 childhood helminthiasis are polymorphic, the signs are suitable for many diseases, so it is difficult to use only the clinical picture for making a diagnosis. More realistic results are obtained by laboratory research - an analysis for the eggs of worms, and it must be repeated several times.
Age features of the disease
Worms in an infant
Usually helminths are found in one and a half or two year old preschoolers. Babies rarely become 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 beginning of complementary feeding, active crawling movement. The kid does not miss a single microbe, bacteria, parasite. It is much more difficult to detect helminths in infants than in children of a different age. 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;
- pallor, 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 illness.
Such symptoms in an infant can signal not only helminth invasion, but also many other diseases. That is why, in order to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to take a fecal examination repeatedly at a certain interval.
Symptoms of worms in children 2 years of age are mostly similar to common signs of worms. The introduction of larval and developing forms of worms into the child's body can cause great damage to health, since in babies the defenses are just beginning to form, the child is not able to resist unwanted aggressors. The risk is increased 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-olds are similar. This:
- rash on the skin;
- swollen lymph nodes;
- profuse 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, disorder of nervous processes.
Symptoms of worms in children 3 years old are identical to the previous ones.
An important factor in the invasion of children from 3 to 5 years old is their visit to child care facilities, as well as contact with pets infected with worms. Children become infected with more rare pathogens of helminthiasis while traveling to exotic countries or from relatives who have been there. The speedy penetration of larvae, eggs of parasites 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 children 5 years old are similar. On the website of Dr. Komarovsky, you can see photos and videos about the treatment and prevention of worms, as well as read patient reviews.
Diagnosis of the disease
The appearance of the first symptoms suggesting helminthic invasion signals the need for special studies. In clinical practice, enough attention is paid to the diagnosis of helminthiasis in preschoolers and primary school students. The presumptive diagnosis must be confirmed using laboratory research methods:
- a clinical blood test, which sets the task of finding antibodies to certain pathogens of parasites;
- scraping for enterobiasis and analysis of feces, performed three times in order to correctly diagnose;
- an analysis that evaluates the intestinal microflora.
On 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 assay 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 harm caused to the baby's body by worms.
Analysis for helminth eggs and dysbiosis is carried out on the basis of a feces study. Stool tests for worms do not always give a result, which is why they are performed repeatedly. To detail the diagnosis, a biological study of sputum, bile, urine analysis, feces coprogram are 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, MRI. 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 sooner the diagnosis is made and the treatment of worms in children is started, the less the baby's health will suffer.
Healing from invasions using the traditional method
The serious consequences of helminthiasis force us to take a responsible approach to the treatment of the disease, contacting specialists - a parasitologist or pediatrician. Medical treatment consists of 3 stages.
The preparatory stage consists in the appointment of sorbents and antihistamines to cleanse the baby's body from toxic substances accumulated as a result of the life cycle of parasites.
Anthelmintic therapy consists in the selection of drugs depending on age, type of pathogens, stage of the disease. Usually, a one-time receipt of the drug in the form of a tablet or suspension is prescribed. After 2 weeks, the course is repeated.
Antihelminthic drugs are very toxic, which is why, when prescribing them, precautions should be taken as much as possible so as not to harm the health of the child. Moderation of dosage is of paramount importance. Self-medication is not recommended, the medication should be prescribed by a doctor, who can sometimes prescribe a combination of drugs. It is recommended that you carefully read the contraindications of the anthelmintic agent.
The cleansing scheme is carried out after the use of antihelminthic drugs, when the parasites die, leaving the body with feces. At this moment, there is a huge splash of toxic substances into the baby's body. For cleaning, enemas are prescribed, intake of absorbers and choleretic drugs. After the end of the course of treatment, it is necessary to take blood and feces tests again. If there are complications, the baby is registered for 3 years.
Folk remedies
Herbal healers have a long history of salvation from parasitic worms. Mainstream medicine recognizes the benefits of some of these remedies. However, not all of them give a guaranteed result. It is advisable 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 dessert liter. 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, certain rules must be strictly followed:
- teach the baby to wash his hands thoroughly before eating, after a walk;
- systematically trim the nail plates;
- change the costume for the child more often;
- keep clean household items, toys;
- it is undesirable to keep tetrapods in the house;
- 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 taking medications.
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, cause enormous harm to the health of the baby. Worms release toxins in the course of 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, take up treatment with the help of a specialist.