Helminthic infestation in children is one of the most common, underestimated the risk of the disease. The worms in children, provokes not only insufficient intake of nutrients in the body, but can cause allergic reactions, chronic toxicity, low immunity, diseases, injuries, gastro-intestinal tract. Sign of parasitosis develop immediately, for a long time, the disease may be asymptomatic or show the clinical picture and determined only in the laboratory analyses.
The prevalence and types of worms
It is considered that the helminthiasis, the infection of the worms, a disease, or more connected to the people in the social and economic background below-average, live in unhygienic conditions, often in contact with the infected animals or the soil. However, according to statistics, only in European countries, the helminths found in the survey in every third patient.
In nature, over 300 species of helminths, more than 70 species distributed in Russia, the rest enter the human body while traveling exotic countries. Among all types of parasitic worms that can exist in the human body there are three groups:
- nematodes belonging to round worms, a few of the most common parasites in children (tapeworm, running away, Trichinella medicine);
- ribbon (flat) worm-related cestode (tapeworm, tapeworm, Echinococcus);
- parasites-flukes, or trematodes, divorce, because the opisthorchiasis, fascioliasis, chistosos, paragonimoz, etc.
In most cases, the helminths parasites, multiply in the intestine, but eggs and larvae can spread through the bloodstream to different organs of the body. Most commonly affects the nearby organs, the gastro-intestinal tract: liver, gallbladder, however, the parasite remains in muscle tissue, the lungs, the brain.
Helminthiasis: the way the infection
Methods of infection by worms depends on the characteristics of the development cycle. Each group in the case of the helminths of man, the main "owner", whose body they live, they reproduce, and others – intermediate. In some cases, the parasites in the necessary maturation of eggs in the soil or other conditions. But the basic rule that the protection against infection hygiene, the condition that the childhood is not always.
Childhood is the period when the lasting immunity has not yet developed, which will significantly increase the likelihood of contracting parasitosis. The desire to try all the flavors, more contact with the soil, sand, any objects increase the likelihood of the penetration helminthiasisok eggs in the body of a child.
The most common worms – diagnosed, as well as the industry through the unwashed hands of the household objects (door handles) to the body inside the food (poorly washed berries, greens, vegetables). There is also the possibility that the spread of the worms through contact with an infected person or animal, or exist in close proximity with them.
Pinworms, the worms cause reinvasion by itching, which is caused by the female is diagnosed, the process of laying eggs outside of the anus causes, patient contact, to RUB, to scratch the irritated surface, and spread the parasite eggs on the bottom, bed linen, clothes, objects, surfaces. Repeated ingestion of eggs, left in the hands of, or bed, reinvasion occurs, self-infection of the patient. Primary infection of children usually takes place, the institutions, the playgrounds, the places of mass congestion of children.
What factors increase the risk of infection of the helminths?
- Keeping hand hygiene: skip the hand washing after returning from the street of the guests to the bathroom, before any food intake.
- Biting nails, finger sucking, take in mouth, various objects (pencils, pens, games, etc.).
- Pet visitors on the street: time to treatment in the dogs, cats also spread the worm's eggs, brought from the street to the foot, wool.
- The inadequate treatment of vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs before serving.
- The low level of hygiene in the house: wearing street shoes, early washing, flooring, etc.
The worms in children: different symptoms, treatment of helminthiasis
Many species of parasites for a long time do not contribute to the formation of a clear clinical picture eliminate: the goal of the parasite that exist so that you don't notice the owner of the vehicle. So bright symptoms of helminthiasis can be noted that only in those cases when the infection is more (originally due to a long latent period) and/or the child with impaired immunity, there is a concomitant diseases, against which the stick is more pronounced. The individual situation of infection of exotic species of parasites, which is a strong reaction in the body.
Common signs of helminthiasis in children:
- increased appetite without increasing body weight;
- increased flow of saliva;
- the symptoms of intestinal indigestion, flatulence, unstable stool, nausea, pain in the stomach, right hypochondrium, spasm of the intestine;
- dizziness, headache, fatigue;
- the tendency to allergic reactions, which were not previously observed, or more severe allergies;
- sensitivity, irritability, sleep disorder, attention, memory associated with intoxication by the waste products of helminths;
- fractures, hair loss, nail exfoliation, the development of the vitamin deficiency, iron deficiency;
- frequent inflammation in the nasopharynx (sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, etc.), the genital organs, especially the girls, because of the anatomic proximity of the vagina and the anus.
The long-term helminthiasisok infections in children falling behind age norms, the height, the weight, the development of the diseases, or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of severe poisoning, anemia, allergies, frequent respiratory infections bacterial, viral origin, neurological disorders.
The first symptoms usually appear after 2-4 weeks after infection the eggs of the worms in the body. Change depending on the number of parasites, the level of protective strength and health of the child, as well as the type of worms. So, pinworm night cause itching of the anus, which contributes to sleep disorders. The toxocarosis distinguishing features include cough signs of respiratory disease, fever, it is likely asthma, allergic reactions.
The widespread belief that bruxism, grinding, teeth sleep, a sign of the presence of worms in the body, is refuted by medical scientists. The phenomenon of bruxism is related to the peculiarities of the human nervous system. Although the worms, especially pinworms, disrupt sleep, contribute to the neurotic child, gnashing of teeth, no evidence of worm infection. The treatment of this phenomenon is concerned, neurologists, dentists.
The prolonged helminths all develop the clinical picture of intoxication.
Diagnostics of helminthiasis
In most cases helminthiasis in children diagnosed due to the annual preventive medical examinations of feces for worm eggs. However, this is not the most reliable method: the presence of symptoms and negative analysis, we should not forget that not all types of worms can be defined in a similar way. Those species which lay their eggs and to avoid detection during laboratory tests, as the frequency of breeding may not coincide with the analysis below. There were also situations, when the organization of one or more of the same-sex individuals are not capable of reproducing, but harmful to the entire life cycle.
Negative fecal test is recommended to conduct a repeat survey in 2-3 weeks. The list in the previous study, analysis of the presence of the helminthiasisok eggs, scraping enterobiasis. Suspect the presence of worms, too, according to the results of the blood tests: high levels of eosinophils in combination with reduced haemoglobin in most cases, means that the presence of parasites in the body.
The diagnosis applicable to biological tests, sputum, bile, urine, coprogram stool.
To clarify the diagnosis of suspected Echinococcus examine the organs of the peritoneum ultrasonic and/or radiographic method. Opisthorchiasis is diagnosed through analysis of the gut contents and duodenal sounding.
To determine what type of parasite has caused them damage to the body help the immunological studies. After an accurate diagnosis of choice method of treatment.
Medicamentous methods for the treatment of helminthiasis in children
Therapy helminthiasis, which is in two directions: get rid of parasites, detoxify the body, reduces the levelling or damage to the existing worms.
Reduces the severity of signs of poisoning are appointed by vitamin preparations (b, C), iron -, vitamin-mineral complexes, glucose, the infusion rate of gemodeza, etc. In some cases, shows that the use of diuretics, and antihistamines. The defeat of the heart muscle, liver tissue can be applied hormonal agents.
As maintenance treatment, chelating agents can be derived from the blood of waste products of the parasites, the enzymes that improve the digestion, the functioning of the organs, etc.
If all helminthiasisok infections is not recommended the use of broad-spectrum preparations of the children. Medicine, which the death of the parasites affect the human body, so that the excretion of the drug, and the dose should be approached with caution.
Homemade, traditional methods to get rid of the worms is strictly not recommended lack of evidence, as well as the ability to accurately measure the dose, and the expected effect on the child's body.
Principles of the therapy of helminthiasis
In most cases, the treatment of helminthiasis, a family treatment should be available to all living in the area for adults and children. This not only applies to highly contagious askaridoza, but also to other types of helminthiasis. Drugs all family members is also selected by the doctor depending on age and state of health.
If you already have animals, which are mandatory, carried out during treatment, regardless of time after the prevention.
In the room where the sick child, to the daily hygiene cleaning, preferably at the time of treatment to remove all the carpets, soft toys, blankets. Bed linen, underwear, personal towels to be changed as often as possible (pants – twice a day), after washing all sheets carefully ironed.
It is necessary to monitor compliance with the rules of hygiene: wash hands after each visit to the toilet, back on the street, only for your personal towel, shave short nails. Without rules, compliance with the therapy may be ineffective due to the constant presence, the sources of infection in the environment of the patient.
Prevention of infection with worms
The preventive measures primarily include the rules of personal hygiene. Most of the worm eggs through the mouth, hands, and hand washing can help prevent the most cases.
Other preventive measures include:
- a thorough (at least 2-3 minutes under running water) to wash, berries, vegetables, leafy greens, before eating, if eaten raw;
- long cooking river fish (40-60 minutes) before eating;
- in time a preventive therapy during the pet;
- General cleanliness of the house in accordance with sanitary-hygiene norms.