The children's body is quite easily affected by parasites, since children have lower immunity. In addition, a child’s body cannot produce a special digestive enzyme that can destroy worm larvae; a person acquires this ability with age.
It is impossible to notice worm eggs visually; their size is microscopic, but they are present almost everywhere. The danger of infection arises during the period when the child begins to understand the world by feeling various objects. In addition, the baby strives not only to touch objects, but sometimes to taste them. Sandboxes in courtyards, which are often used by street animals as a toilet, pose a great danger. If we take into account the weak natural defense of the baby’s body against helminthic infestations, then it is not difficult to realize how high the chances of parasites affecting the child’s intestines are. Here are the main ways worms enter a child’s body:
- through unwashed hands;
- after contact with animals;
- through poorly cooked meat and fish;
- insects are also often a source of helminthic infestation, as they carry worm eggs on their legs;
- unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- through dirty water that is accidentally swallowed while swimming in an open body of water.
An important factor is the ability of worms to be a source of re-infection of the child, despite all the efforts of the parents. The fact is that helminths periodically crawl through the child’s anus, laying eggs in close proximity to it, which causes severe itching in the baby. The child itches, and small worm eggs, in turn, end up under his nails, from where they easily enter the mouth, and then travel down the gastrointestinal tract, ending up again in the intestines. After two weeks, the larvae grow into adults, which are also capable of laying eggs.
Worm infestation in children, symptoms
There are about 300 types of parasites that can infect the human body, however, pinworms and roundworms are more often diagnosed in children. Both types of worms affect the small intestines; the symptoms of damage to both types of parasites are quite similar:
- Loss of appetite, pale facial skin, dark circles under the eyes.
- Restless sleep; sometimes the child may grind his teeth in his sleep.
- Headaches, dizziness, lethargy and weakness appear.
- Sometimes worms are present in a child’s feces and can be seen with the naked eye.
- The baby experiences itching in the genital area and anus.
- There is a disorder in the digestive system, constipation can be replaced by diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea are observed.
- General blood count indicators may change, namely a decrease in hemoglobin and an increase in the level of eosinophils and ESR.
- The vital activity of worms becomes the cause of general poisoning of the body, manifested in the appearance of allergic reactions, urticaria, and atopic dermatitis.
- Increased body temperature for no good reason.
- Constant itching can cause inflammation in the genital mucosa.
- Worms not only poison the child’s body with the products of their vital activity, but also actively consume vitamins and minerals, nutrients that the child’s body needs so much, which often leads to vitamin deficiency and a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Folk remedies against worms
Admittedly, folk remedies are the most suitable for treating helminthic infestations in children; the symptoms recede quite quickly. However, before using them, you must definitely consult a doctor, because the child’s body is very vulnerable not only to the action of parasites, but also to the inept use of medicines, even folk ones. Here are the most popular folk anthelmintic remedies:
- Garlic enema. Garlic is an antiseptic given to humans by nature; it is also applicable against worms. A glass of cow's milk is mixed with one head of chopped garlic, the mixture is boiled, then cooled and filtered through a double layer of gauze. At night, the child is given an enema from the milk received, a third of the received drug is taken for it, and the child is treated in this way for at least a week.
- Chamomile decoction. Another natural antiseptic that is used to treat a wide variety of diseases. To prepare the decoction, take a tablespoon of dry chamomile herb and pour boiling water over it, leave until it cools, and give the child to drink throughout the day instead of water or tea. Duration of treatment is 5 days.
- Onion remedy. Chop a small onion, add milk and boil the resulting mixture, then cool and filter. The resulting product is given to the baby for three days in a row, 100 ml.
Simple folk recipes that will help cure a child of worms, watch the video:
Causes of helminthiasis
Almost 400 species of helminths can parasitize the human body; 70 of them are the most common in our country. As a rule, these are roundworms and tapeworms. Diseases caused by the penetration of flukes (feline or liver flukes) are often detected.
The disease develops when eggs or larvae of parasites enter the stomach. During the period of development from egg to sexually mature individual, tapeworms can change several hosts. You can also become infected by eating meat (beef, pork, game), unfiltered water, dirty vegetables and fruits.
Helminths parasitize the organisms of mammals, fish, mollusks, and amphibians. To avoid infection, you need to avoid eating them raw and do not buy smoked or salted fish of unknown origin.
Symptoms of worms
Various types of worms can parasitize the digestive tract, respiratory organs, lymph nodes, bone and muscle tissues. Their vital activity affects the host’s body in different ways. They can produce toxins, provoke the development of inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, anemia, metabolic disorders, and have a traumatic effect on organs and tissues.
You should contact the clinic to identify or rule out helminthiasis if you have the following symptoms in an adult:
- Temperature increase. It can rise sharply to 38°C and decrease briefly after taking anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. Sometimes the temperature stays high for 2-3 months.
- Dull or cutting pain in the stomach, frequent bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation), nausea.
- Itching in the anal area, worsening in the evening.
- Frequent colds or respiratory diseases - when infected with helminths, immunity decreases.
- Loss or increase in appetite, sudden loss of body weight.
- Bronchospasms, cough, shortness of breath, other breathing disorders, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.
- Itchy rash.
- Insomnia, frequent headaches, anxiety, irritability, depression.
- Pain in joints and muscles.
- Inflammation, enlarged lymph nodes.
- Edema.
In the absence of adequate treatment, helminths can provoke the development of chronic pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholecystocholangitis, cause irreversible changes in tissues and even lead to death.
Diagnostics
Infection with certain types of helminths gives a characteristic clinical picture. When a patient first contacts a doctor, they can guess the diagnosis. Eggs and other traces of the vital activity of roundworms, pinworms and other roundworms that parasitize the intestines are detected during stool examination. Sometimes worms are visible on ultrasound. But some small parasites are very difficult to identify. Diagnosis is carried out based on a combination of symptoms and results of instrumental and laboratory tests.
If helminthiasis is suspected in adults and children, the following must be taken:
- Stool analysis. Allows you to accurately detect the presence of common parasites in the body. However, some of them only lay eggs at certain stages of their life cycle, so it is recommended to survey several times at intervals of 3-4 days.
- General clinical blood test. Does not indicate the presence of larvae, eggs, adults, but provides a lot of information about the intensity of the inflammatory process, the number of leukocytes, etc.
- Biochemical analysis. Provides detailed information about protein metabolism, identifies abnormal loss or increased protein synthesis, and allows one to exclude or suspect infection with certain helminths.
- Analysis for liver function indicators (bilirubin, pancreatic alpha-amylase, alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT). Diagnosis of the liver and pancreas suggests infection with helminths.
- Urinalysis, blood test with glomerular filtration. They give the doctor information about the condition of the kidneys and the possibility of them being damaged by parasites.
Studies of bile, sputum, and duodenal contents may also be prescribed.
To clarify the localization of parasites and assess the extent of damage, ultrasound diagnostics may be prescribed. If the presence of helminths in the brain or eyes is suspected, a computed tomography scan is performed. To diagnose helminths in the lungs, X-rays are taken, and in the stomach and intestines - endoscopy.
A comprehensive examination makes it possible to quickly and accurately determine the causes of the disease and prescribe adequate treatment. Don't refuse the examination. The more accurately the doctor determines the cause of poor health, the faster he can help.
Which doctors should I contact?
If you suspect a helminth infection, you should contact a therapist who will conduct an initial examination and prescribe laboratory and instrumental tests. After the examination, the therapist will prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist doctor.
Treatment
With timely diagnosis, helminthiasis can be easily eliminated with anthelmintic drugs. The doctor determines the dosage depending on the patient’s age, weight, degree of parasite damage, their type and location. To get rid of most worms, it is enough to take the drug 1-3 times. Along with anthelmintic drugs, vitamin and mineral complexes are often prescribed to strengthen the immune system.
In case of severe intoxication, allergic reactions, infection against the background of severe chronic diseases, hospitalization in a hospital may be required. Doctors will not only rid the human body of parasites, but will also carry out detoxification therapy and vitamin therapy.
Surgical treatment is required for helminth damage to organs and tissues. A large number of roundworms sometimes leads to obstruction of the intestines and bile ducts. Their accumulation is removed surgically. The decision on the need for surgical treatment is made by the doctor after a comprehensive examination. The complexity and duration of the operation depend on the location of the parasites, their size, and quantity.
Complications
Heartworm infections caused by common types of parasites can be treated with medications prescribed by your doctor. But if you do not pay attention to alarming symptoms, deterioration in health, weakness, causeless fatigue, decreased immunity, the disease can lead to serious complications.
If parasites get into the lungs, and the patient does not consult a doctor with complaints of cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, pneumonia or even bronchial asthma may develop.
Parasites found in the organs of the digestive system can cause cirrhosis, liver abscess, hepatitis, intestinal cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding, fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascites), and peritonitis. They also often provoke the development of chronic kidney diseases, meningoencephalitis, and loss of vision. Some cestodes (tapeworms) grow more than 1 meter in length, and small roundworms can form dense balls. This disrupts the normal functioning of the body, leading to severe intoxication and severe allergic reactions. Without urgent medical attention, death is possible.
Classification of parasites
Different types of worms affect the body differently, and have their own characteristics both in the development cycle and in appearance and damage caused. There are three most common groups of worms: nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes.
The first group is the protocavitary worms. They live in soil and water, so they can easily become infected in the sandbox and during a walk in general. It is this group that includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, and also includes hookworms, trichinella, and guinea worms. Depending on which parasite caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichuriasis, etc. are distinguished.
Cestodoses are tapeworms that can live both in the intestines (the most common variant is tapeworms) and in organs (usually the larvae of tapeworms, echinococci, and alveococci live there). In accordance with which of these types of worms are found in children, echinococcosis, taeniasis, hymenolepiasis, etc. are distinguished.
And the last of the three popular groups is trematoses caused by trematodes. These are several types of flatworms - schistosome, cat/liver fluke, leukochloridium. They provoke opisthorchiasis (transmitted from fish of the carp family) and fascioliasis (the liver and bile system suffer, infection through plants or water).
Symptoms
There are a lot of symptoms, and individual manifestations depend on which helminth eggs have entered the body. Next, we will talk about the general symptoms for all parasitic infections, and then about enterobiasis, ascariasis and 5 other types of infections.
- increased irritability, restless sleep, decreased perseverance and attentiveness, frequent hysterics and anger;
- increased appetite associated with active weight loss;
- symptoms from the digestive system - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, pain in the right hypochondrium;
- dizziness and headache;
- food allergies;
- nasal discharge;
- diseases and infections of the reproductive system;
- brittle nails/hair;
Enterobiasis is a helminthiasis in which the body is infected by pinworms. The larvae emerge from the eggs within 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 reproduction mechanism leads to severe itching at night - hence restless sleep, tossing and turning, and screaming.
Additional special symptoms:
- night urination;
- grinding 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. The larvae and eggs enter the body with insufficiently disinfected fresh fruits and vegetables. The development period takes place in the intestines, after which they pass into the lymphatic and blood vessels, and with the flow of blood and lymph they are distributed throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs. They then enter the oral cavity and are re-swallowed. 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, lymph nodes enlarge;
- the temperature rises, sometimes up to 38 degrees;
- malaise and weakness appear;
- respiratory pathologies develop - pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
- pressure drops;
- Gastrointestinal symptoms appear - constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain in the form of contractions;
- fear of light;
- nightmares at night;
- dry cough - sputum with an orange tint and bloody spots.
It is more difficult to breed roundworms than pinworms, since the female lays almost 250 thousand eggs every day. In no case should you rely on traditional methods or buy the first remedy you come across at the pharmacy - be sure to contact a specialist.
Infants may experience symptoms after just a few weeks of life if they have received the eggs and larvae of worms from their mother, for example during childbirth. As a rule, symptoms manifest themselves in the form of lack of weight gain, excessive drooling, rash, pallor, blue under the eyes, constipation. The child is constantly worried, screams, sleeps and eats poorly. The screaming can be unbearable and the baby will turn blue in the process.
Worms are often the cause of the development of pulmonary pathologies and are diagnosed using ultrasound or x-ray. Parasites, in particular Echinococcus tapeworm, can damage not only the respiratory system, but also move further to the brain and heart. In areas where helminths develop in the lungs, scars and adhesions appear, and the shape of the lungs begins to change. Such changes provoke a wide range of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc. When a tapeworm enters the lungs, echinococcosis is formed, when the parasite develops in the form of a cyst.
Symptoms will largely depend on which helminth has entered the body, but the child’s anxiety and the presence of the above general symptoms should alert parents. If signs of worms appear, make an appointment with a pediatrician or gastroenterologist to get tested in a timely manner.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of worms in children is carried out in different ways - depending on what worms the child is infected with, the habitat, location of the eggs, and toxins found in the body will differ.
To make a diagnosis, the following may be prescribed:
- blood test - shows anemia, hemoglobin and eosinophil levels;
- analysis for parasites - in 99% of cases it helps to detect helminthiasis, and in most cases it helps to accurately determine the type (biomaterial for research - blood from a vein);
- examination of stool - there may not be eggs in the stool, even if there is an infection, to ensure the presence of worms, this diagnosis should be carried out 3 times, which takes time;
- smear - especially effective in case of pinworm infection, since their eggs are found just outside the anus;
- stool analysis for dysbacteriosis;
- if there is a suspicion of infection of internal organs, and not just the gastrointestinal tract - CT, X-ray, ultrasound.
Diagnostics allows you to accurately identify the type of parasite and prescribe specific treatment. The doctor prescribes medications, diet, additional supportive procedures, and gives recommendations for care and hygiene.
In some cases, parents pay increased attention to helminthiasis and are constantly worried about infecting their child. This leads to regular "preventive" courses of serious anthelmintic drugs, which do not bring any benefits to the baby’s body. If your child is not losing weight, feels well, eats well, has a healthy complexion, and does not have itching in the anal area, he is likely healthy. If you want to make sure of this, it is better to get tested than to take an unnecessary course.
Treatment
The course of therapy for worms in children includes several stages - preparation, therapy and cleansing. During the entire treatment, it is necessary to carry out general preventative measures and carefully observe hygiene to avoid re-infection or infection of one of the family members. Some types of worms, such as tapeworms and echinococci, can only be removed surgically.
The preparatory stage involves taking various sorbents that 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 is directly taking anthelmintic drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories or suspensions. Medicines are selected depending on the type of helminth, individual indications and contraindications. Some anthelmintics work in 2 doses:
- the first course kills already developed individuals;
- the second course helps to cope with larvae and eggs (prescribed 2 weeks after the first).
Cleansing is designed to rid the body of the remnants 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, nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts to the diet.
Additionally, to restore the body in case of serious damage, vitamin complexes, iron, minerals, and a special diet can be used, which will increase hemoglobin, restore liver function and strengthen the body as a whole. The doctor describes the treatment plan in detail, avoiding side effects. Control tests are required. Self-medication and deviation from the plan are not allowed.
Consequences of untreated parasitic infestations
Helminthiasis poses a serious danger; without treatment, it can result in death or significant health problems. An infected child poses a danger to the entire family and environment, as it spreads the disease.
Complications of worms in children:
- inflammatory exacerbation of appendicitis;
- epileptic seizures;
- visual impairment of several types;
- allergic reactions with copious nasal discharge;
- developmental lag behind peers;
- sexually transmitted infections, the most common in girls is vulvovaginitis;
- various types of pulmonary manifestations, including bronchial asthma;
- in difficult cases - damage to the brain and heart.
Prevention
To ensure that treatment of worms in children is not required at all, it is necessary to actively engage in prevention, which consists of both daily precautions and hygiene procedures, as well as taking medications.
How to protect your baby from parasitic infection:
- Maintain hygiene – regularly wash your child’s hands and bathe him;
- regularly care for toys - washing and cleaning (after diagnosis, all toys must be disinfected);
- cut your nails as often as possible, clean them every day;
- iron clothes 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 bodies of water;
- use repellents (insects often carry worm eggs), destroy all insects that enter the house;
- regularly check pets for parasites;
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, conduct sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.
Some types of helminthiases are difficult to cure, so we recommend preventive measures to avoid infection. When contacting the clinic, parents will receive full advice on how to properly carry out prevention to avoid problems in the future.