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Worms in children

worms in a child's body

Helminths or worms are parasites that feed on the host's body and release toxins that affect internal organs and systems. The most common groups are pinworms and roundworms, they are most often found in the bodies of young children, interacting with the external environment in unsanitary ways. Worms interfere with the assimilation of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, as they are borrowed for life, and the intoxication of the products they release harm the liver, the gastrointestinal tract and, in difficult cases, without timely intervention - muscles, lungs, eyes, brain.

Forms of infection with worms:

  • contact with land and water, which contain parasite eggs (sandbox and puddle are no exception);
  • the use of products that have not undergone proper processing - plant foods, meats, fish may contain earthworm eggs;
  • negligence with hygiene;
  • transmission of worms from mother to child during childbirth;
  • regular contact with animals, especially homeless animals, or those that go outside;
  • visiting a room with insects;
  • contact with already infected children;
  • low immunity;
  • moving to another country, associated with body stress and incomplete acclimatization.

Based on the causes of the disease, it is not difficult to develop a system of minimal prevention - teach the child to wash their hands regularly, feed them only with correctly processed foods and ensure the sanitary control of the home. However, no one canceled contact with stray animals and licking the swing, the result is an intestinal damage by parasites. Not all helminths are immediately actively manifested - they can remain in the body in a "sleep" mode for years, so regular checkups, especially for children, are extremely important.

Parasite classification

Different types of worms do not affect the body in the same way and have their own characteristics both in the development cycle and in appearance and damage. There are three most common groups of worms - nematodes, cestodes, trematodes.

The first group is the primary cavity worms. They live in soil and water, so it's easy to get infected with them in the litter box and generally while walking. This group includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, and this also includes hookworms, trichinella, rishta. Depending on the parasite that caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichocephalosis, etc. are isolated.

Ketedoses are tapeworms that can live both in the intestines (the most common variant are tapeworms) and in organs (as a rule, the larvae of tapeworms, echinococci and alveococci live there). According to which of these types of worms are found in children, echinococcosis, taeniasis, hymenolepiasis, etc. are distinguished.

And the last of the three popular groups are trematoses caused by trematodes. There are several types of worms - schistosome, feline/liver worm, leucochloride. They cause opistorchiasis (transmitted with fish of the cyprinid family) and fascioliasis (they suffer from the liver and biliary tract, infection of plants or water).

Symptoms

There are many symptoms, and the particular manifestations depend on which helminth eggs have entered the body. Next, we'll talk about the common symptoms of all parasitic infections, and then about enterobiasis, ascariasis, and 5 more types of infections.

Common symptoms:

  • increased irritability, restless sleep, decreased perseverance and attention, frequent tantrums and tantrums;
  • increased appetite associated with active weight loss;
  • digestive system symptoms - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, pain in the right hypochondrium;
  • dizziness and headache;
  • food allergy;
  • nose flow;
  • reproductive system diseases and infections;
  • nails / brittle hair;

Enterobiasis is helminthiasis, in which traces infect the body. The larvae emerge from the eggs within 4-6 hours, within 2-4 weeks they become adults - gray or white roundworms 5-10 mm long. They settle in the cecum and appendix, and lay eggs outside the anus - at night, female features fly into the air for this purpose. This reproduction mechanism causes intense itching at night - hence restless sleep, tossing and turning, screaming.

Additional special symptoms:

  • night urination;
  • Gritting teeth;

Ascariasis is helminthiasis, in which the body is colonized by roundworms. These worms are already more significant - the average length of an adult is 25-30 cm. Larvae and eggs enter the body with insufficiently disinfected fresh fruits and vegetables. The developmental period takes place in the intestines, after which they pass into the lymph and blood vessels and, with the flow of blood and lymph, they settle throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs. They then enter the oral cavity and are swallowed again. From this moment, adult roundworms begin to develop. This takes approximately 3 months.

How to suspect the presence of worms in children:

  • the liver, spleen and lymph nodes are enlarged;
  • the temperature rises, sometimes up to 38 degrees;
  • malaise and weakness appear;
  • develop respiratory pathologies - pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
  • pressure fall;
  • gastrointestinal tract symptoms appear - constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain in the form of contractions;
  • fear of light;
  • nightmares at night;
  • dry cough - phlegm with orange color and blood spatter.

Roundworm rearing is more difficult than moths, as the female lays nearly 250, 000 eggs a day. In no case should you rely on traditional methods or buy the first medicine available at a pharmacy - be sure to get in touch with an expert.

In children, not all worms are colonized by the body. In total, there are more than 300 types of helminths in the world, and 70 of them are only found in our country. In addition to the two types listed, 5 more types are becoming common:

  • trichocephalosis - characterized by a delay in physical and intellectual development but is usually almost asymptomatic;
  • opistorchiasis - temperature rises, lymph nodes enlarge, skin rash appears;
  • hymenolepiasis - the main consequence is rhinitis;
  • toxocariasis - has many symptoms that distinguish it from other helminthiasis: keratitis, choking cough, ophthalmitis, chorioretinitis, facial edema;
  • broad tapeworm - characterized by anemia, intestinal disturbances, pain in the abdomen.

Babies can show symptoms after a few weeks of life if they receive eggs and worm larvae from the mother, for example, during childbirth. As a rule, symptoms manifest as lack of weight gain, profuse salivation, skin rash, paleness, blue eyes, and constipation. The child is constantly worried, screams, sleeps and eats badly. The screams can be unbearable and the child will turn blue in the process.

Worms are often the cause of the development of lung pathologies and are diagnosed by ultrasound or X-ray. The parasites, in particular the tapeworm echinococci, can damage not only the respiratory system but also the brain and heart. In the areas of development of helminths in the lungs, scars, adhesions appear, the shape of the lungs starts to change. These changes cause a wide range of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc. When the tapeworm enters the lungs, echinococcosis forms, when the parasite develops into a cyst.

The symptoms are highly dependent on which helminths have entered the body, but the child's concern and the presence of the above general symptoms should alert parents. If you have signs of worms, make an appointment with your pediatrician or gastroenterologist to carry out the tests in good time.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of worms in children is done in different ways - depending on which worms the child is infected with, the habitat, the location of the eggs and the toxins found in the body will be different.

For the diagnosis can be assigned:

  • blood test - shows levels of anemia, hemoglobin and eosinophils;
  • parasite analysis - in 99% of cases it helps to detect helminthiasis and in most cases - to accurately determine the type (biomaterial for research - blood from a vein);
  • stool examination - there may not be eggs in the stool, even if there is infection, to be sure of the presence of worms, this diagnosis should be made 3 times, which takes time;
  • smear - especially effective for worm infection as their eggs are found outside the anus;
  • stool analysis for dysbiosis;
  • if infection of internal organs is suspected, not just the gastrointestinal tract - CT scan, x-ray, ultrasound.

Diagnosis makes it possible to precisely identify the type of parasite and prescribe a specific treatment. The doctor prescribes medication, diet, additional supportive procedures, makes recommendations on care and hygiene.

In some cases, parents pay more attention to helminthiasis and are constantly concerned about their child's infection. This leads to regular "preventive" courses of serious anthelmintic medications, which do not bring any benefit to the baby's body. If your child doesn't lose weight, feels good, eats well, has healthy skin, and doesn't have an itchy anus, then the child is likely to be healthy. If you want to convince yourself of this, it's better to take the test than take an unnecessary course.

Treatment

The course of therapy for worms in children includes several steps - preparation, therapy and cleansing. Throughout the treatment, it is necessary to carry out restorative prophylaxis and careful hygiene, in order to avoid reinfection or infection of any of the family members. Some types of worms, such as tapeworm or echinococcus, can only be removed surgically.

The preparatory phase involves ingesting sorbents that absorb toxins and cleanse the body. They are followed by antihistamines, they alleviate general itching and prevent the development of allergic drug reactions.

The treatment of helminthiasis in children in the main stage consists of the direct administration of anthelmintic drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories or suspensions. Drugs are selected according to the type of helminths, indications and individual contraindications. Some anthelmintics work in 2 steps:

  • the first course kills already developed individuals;
  • the second course helps to cope with larvae and eggs (named 2 weeks after the first).

Purification aims to rid the body of the remains of dead parasites; at this stage, sorbents, enemas and choleretic drugs are used. You can help your baby by adding raw carrots, dairy products, thick bread, fruits, vegetables, fish oil, nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts to the diet.

In addition, vitamin complexes, iron, minerals, a special diet can be used to restore the body in case of serious injury, which will increase hemoglobin, restore liver function and strengthen the body as a whole. The doctor describes the treatment plan in detail, avoiding the occurrence of side effects. Control tests are mandatory. Self-medication and deviation from the plan is not allowed.

Consequences of untreated parasitic infections

Helminthiasis poses a serious danger; without treatment, it can all end in death or significant health problems. An infected child is a danger to the whole family and to the environment as it is the spread of the disease.

Complications of Worms in Children:

  • inflammatory exacerbation of appendicitis;
  • epileptic seizures;
  • visual impairment of various types;
  • allergic reactions with abundant nasal discharge;
  • falling behind in terms of development;
  • genital infections, more common in girls - vulvovaginitis;
  • various types of pulmonary manifestations, even bronchial asthma;
  • in difficult cases - damage to the brain and heart.

Prophylaxis

So that the treatment of worms in children is not mandatory, it is necessary to actively work on prevention, which consists of both daily care and hygiene procedures, as well as the ingestion of medication.

How to protect your baby from parasitic infection:

  • observe hygiene - regularly wash the child's hands, bathe the child;
  • take care of toys regularly - washing and cleaning (after diagnosis, all toys must be disinfected);
  • cut your nails whenever possible, clean every day;
  • ironing after washing;
  • get rid of bad habits - sucking fingers, pens, biting nails;
  • give only boiled water to drink and explain why;
  • avoid swimming in natural reservoirs;
  • use repellents (insects tend to carry worm eggs), destroy all insects that enter the house;
  • regularly check your pets for parasites;
  • wash fruits and vegetables well, provide sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.

Some types of helminthiasis are difficult to cure, which is why we recommend prophylaxis to prevent infections. By contacting the clinic, parents will receive full advice on how to properly carry out prevention in order to avoid problems in the future.