Worm (helminthiasis)

Worms are a type of worm that live a parasitic lifestyle in the body of the host (a person). age is not a problem. Adults and children are equally susceptible to infection. The classification of helminthiasis is very broad, especially in countries with hot climates.

Parasites in the human body

There are 3 types of parasitic worms:

  • Round (nematode)-pinworm, roundworm;
  • Tape (taenia)-pork tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus;
  • Flatworms, flukes (flukes).

The most common worm in children is pinworm, which causes pinworm disease. These worms are small, up to 1 cm on average, white-gray in color, and have curved bodies. These parasites are located in the large intestine, but they can also penetrate into the lower part of the small intestine. Pinworms multiply on the skin near the anus. At night, female pinworms will come out to lay eggs in the folds of the skin, usually penetrating the girl’s labia, and eventually leading to genital infections. In general, these worms can survive for approximately 1-1. 5 months. The child's self-infection process will cause this discomfort to last for many years. The parasites in feces can be detected with the naked eye.

Roundworms are another worm most common in children. As a characteristic species, up to 15 cm in length, these nematodes settle in the cavity of the small intestine ring and move towards moving food masses. Roundworms rarely enter the feces. Females regularly release eggs, which can be found in a stool analysis. But if they are not found during the study, it does not mean that the child is not infected. The life cycle of roundworms can last for several years.

the reason

The baby's curiosity is realized through his fingers. In the process of understanding the world, the child actively touches everything under his arm, and immediately pulls it into his mouth, experimenting with strength and taste. Therefore, pinworm eggs can safely enter the digestive tract of their future small host.

Children can infect worm eggs from the surface of unwashed fruits when they drink contaminated water. In many cases, infection occurs when communicating with animals, or playing on the ground or sandpit where cats and dogs like to solve physiological problems. After walking, children often do not wash their hands, and all dirt and parasite eggs will enter their mouths.

symptom

If the child is infected with a large number of parasite eggs, it may get worse after a few days. In milder cases, the initial symptoms of an invasion may appear within weeks or even months. Much depends on the child's immunity. He can deal with parasites well and inhibit their development. But gradually, the defenses are reduced, and the worms infect the body, causing serious problems.

The first signs are symptoms of poisoning (poisoning). The life activities of worms are accompanied by the release of a large number of animal toxins, which can poison children's bodies. In the intestines, parasites use nutrients, so babies gradually lack protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins.

The child has:

  • thin,
  • Pale skin,
  • Weak, often dizzy,
  • Increased body temperature, headache,
  • Nightmare,
  • Burst into tears,
  • upset.

Intestinal disorders manifested-constipation, loose stools, rumbling and pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, pain and bloating in different parts of the abdomen. The disease may be accompanied by allergic symptoms: itching, rash, cough, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. Weakened immunity leads to an increase in infectious diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of helminthiasis in feces is quite difficult. This is because roundworm eggs or pinworms do not appear in the feces every day, and the smear microscopy technique in the analysis needs to be very careful. In order to improve the reliability of worm egg stool analysis, it is recommended to perform at least 3 consecutive days.

If the risk of infection with worms increases (contact with animals, children playing on the ground or in open sandpits, children accustomed to putting things in their mouths, biting nails or licking fingers, etc. ), it is recommended to conduct an in-depth examination, in addition to three times the stoolIn addition to the analysis, it also includes a special blood test to detect worm antibodies.

In the presence of allergic manifestations of unknown origin, increased number of eosinophils in blood tests, and continuous imbalance of the intestinal flora, it is recommended to donate blood to roundworms and other worms for the determination of class E immunoglobulins (Ig E and G). You can check whether there are worms in your pet's body.

Assess the overall condition of indirect signs and medical history. If all family members are excluded from other pathologies that cause similar clinical manifestations, doctors may recommend anti-helminth therapy without direct evidence of the presence of worms in the child to avoid the formation of worms. The lesions infect each other with the parasite eggs. In this case, it is also necessary to strengthen sanitation measures, especially the bed sheets and both sides of the bed sheets are boiled and ironed.