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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 outside environment in the most hygienic manner. Worms interfere with the assimilation of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, because they borrow them for their life, and intoxication by the products they release damages the liver, the gastrointestinal tract and, in difficult cases, without timely intervention - muscles, lungs, eyes, brain.

Worms infection modes:

  • contact with soil and water, which contain parasite eggs (sand pit and puddle are no exception);
  • the use of products that have not undergone proper processing - plant foods, meat, fish may contain worm eggs;
  • neglect of hygiene;
  • transmission of worms from mother to child during childbirth;
  • regular contact with animals, especially street animals, or those who go out;
  • visit a room with insects;
  • contact with already infected children;
  • low immunity;
  • moving to another country, associated with stress on the body and incomplete acclimatization.

Based on the causes of the disease, it is not difficult to develop a system of minimal prevention - to teach the child to wash his hands regularly, to feed him only properly processed foods and to ensure sanitary control inthe House. Nevertheless, no one canceled the contact with the street animals and the licking of the swing, the result is intestinal damage by the parasites. Not all helminths are actively manifested immediately - they can remain in the body in "sleep" mode for years. Regular checks, especially for children, are therefore extremely important.

Classification of parasites

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 groups of the most common worms - nematodes, cestodoses, trematodes.

The first group is that of primary cavity worms. They live in soil and water, so it is easy to get contaminated with them in the sandbox and in general during a walk. This group includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, as well as hookworms, trichinella and rishta. Depending on the parasite that caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichocephalosis, etc. are isolated.

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

And the last of the three popular groups are the trematoses caused by the trematodes. There are several types of flatworms - schistosoma, feline / hepatic fluke, leucochloridium. They cause opisthorchiasis (transmitted with fish of the Cyprinidae family) and fascioliasis (liver and biliary system suffer, infection by plants or by water).

Symptoms

There are many symptoms, and private manifestations depend on the eggs, the helminths of which entered the body. Next, we will talk about the symptoms common to all parasitic infections, then enterobiasis, ascariasis and 5 other types of infections.

Common symptoms:

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

Enterobiasis is a helminthiasis, in which pinworms infect the body. The larvae emerge from the eggs in 4-6 hours, in 2-4 weeks they become adults - grayish or white roundworms 5-10 mm long. They settle in the cecum and appendix and lay eggs outside the anus - at night, female pinworms come out into the air for this purpose. This reproductive mechanism leads to severe itching at night - resulting in restless sleep, sudden movements, screaming.

Additional special symptoms:

  • nighttime urination;
  • grinding of teeth;

Ascariasis is a helminthiasis, in which the body is colonized by roundworms. These worms are already larger - the average length of an adult is 25-30 cm. Larvae and eggs enter the body with insufficiently disinfected fresh fruits and vegetables. The period of development takes place in the intestines, after which they pass through lymphatic and blood vessels, and together with blood and lymphatic flow they are deposited throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs. They then enter the oral cavity and are re-swallowed. From this point on, adult roundworms begin to develop. It takes about 3 months.

How to suspect the presence of worms in children:

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

Reproduction of roundworms is more difficult than that of pinworms, because the female lays nearly 250, 000 eggs per day. In no case should you rely on traditional methods or buy the first remedy available in a pharmacy - be sure to contact a specialist.

Not all worms in children are colonized in the body. In total, there are more than 300 types of helminths in the world, and 70 of them are found in our country alone. In addition to the two types listed, 5 other types are generalized:

  • trichocephalosis - characterized by a delay in physical and intellectual development, but in general it is almost asymptomatic;
  • opisthorchiasis - the temperature rises, the nodes of the lymphatic system increase, rashes appear;
  • hymenolepiasis - the main consequence is rhinitis;
  • toxocariasis - has many symptoms that distinguish it from other helminthiasis: keratitis, suffocating cough, ophthalmia, chorioretinitis, swelling of the face;
  • large tapeworm - characterized by anemia, intestinal disturbances, abdominal pain.

Babies may show symptoms after a few weeks of life if they receive worm eggs and larvae from their mother, for example during childbirth. Usually, the symptomatology manifests itself in the form of a lack of weight gain, profuse salivation, rash, pallor, bruising under the eyes, and constipation. The child is constantly worried, screams, sleeps and eats poorly. The screaming 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. Parasites, especially the tapeworm echinococcus, can damage not only the respiratory system, but also travel further to the brain and heart. In the areas of the development of helminths in the lungs, scars, adhesions appear, the shape of the lungs begins to change. Such changes cause a wide range of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc. When the tapeworm enters the lungs, echinococcosis is formed, when the parasite grows in the form of a cyst.

Symptoms will largely depend on which helminth has entered the body, but the child's worry 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 undergo tests as soon as possible.

Diagnostic

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

For the diagnosis can be assigned:

  • blood test - shows anemia, hemoglobin and eosinophil levels;
  • analysis of parasites - 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 an infection, to be sure of the presence of worms, this diagnosis should be made 3 times, which takes time;
  • smear - especially effective against infections with pinworms, since their eggs are found just outside the anus;
  • analysis of feces for dysbiosis;
  • if there is a suspicion of infection of internal organs, and not only the gastrointestinal tract - CT, x-ray, ultrasound.

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

In some cases, parents pay increased attention to helminthiasis and constantly worry about their child's infection. This leads to regular "preventive" courses of severe anthelmintic drugs, which bring no benefit to the baby's body. If the child does not lose weight, feels good, eats well, has a healthy complexion, and does not have an itchy rash, he is most likely healthy. If you want to convince yourself of it, better to get tested than to take an unnecessary course.

Processing

The course of therapy for worms in children consists of several stages - preparation, therapy and cleaning. During the entire treatment, it is necessary to carry out restorative prophylaxis and carefully observe hygiene in order to avoid re-infection or infection of any of the family members. Some types of worms, such as tapeworms or echinococcus, can only be removed surgically.

The preparatory stage involves the intake of sorbents which absorb toxins and cleanse the body. They are followed by antihistamines, they relieve general itching and prevent the development of allergic reactions to drugs.

Treatment of helminthiasis in children at the main stage consists of directly taking anthelmintic drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories or suspensions. Medicines are selected depending on the type of helminths, individual indications and contraindications. Some anthelmintics work in 2 steps:

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

Purification is designed 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, coarse bread, fruits, vegetables, fish oil, tree nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts to their diet.

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

Consequences of untreated parasitic infections

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

Complications of worms in children:

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

Prophylaxis

In order for the treatment of worms in children not to be necessary at all, it is necessary to actively engage in prevention, which consists of both daily precautions and hygienic procedures, and taking medication.

How to protect your baby from parasitic infections:

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

Some types of helminthiasis are difficult to cure, so we recommend prophylaxis to avoid infection. By contacting the clinic, parents will receive comprehensive advice on how to properly carry out prevention in order to avoid problems in the future.