Symptoms, treatment and prevention of helminths in children
In medicine, worms are called helminths, which lead a parasitic lifestyle in the body of their host - a human. Both adults and children are susceptible to helminth infection, there are many types of these parasites, so it is important for parents to know the symptoms of helminthosis in children, as well as methods of its treatment and prevention.
Types of helminths
Doctors distinguish three main classes of worms:
- nematodes (round) - roundworms, pinworms;
- cestodes (tapeworms) – echinococcus, bull and/or pig tapeworm;
- trematodes (flat) - flukes.
Of all the presented types of helminths, pinworms, which can cause enterobiosis, are most often found in children. Ascaris is often found in children.
Symptoms of worms in children, diagnostic methods
Symptomatic picture when infected with worms always has a variable character, it all depends on what kind of parasites the child was infected with. If the infection occurred at once with a large number of worm eggs, a significant deterioration of the state of health may occur already on the second day. But if the infection occurred in a "mild version", then signs of worms in children may be absent for a long time or be non-specific.
The first symptoms of helminthiasis in children include:
- periodic rise in body temperature;
- bad sleep, depressed mood and tearfulness;
- stool disorder - there may be constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain and rumbling;
- dysfunction of the digestive system - nausea and vomiting, intestinal bloating;
- allergic manifestations - itching, small rashes.
It is also worth noting some specific signs of helminthiasis - for example, if there was an infection with helminths such as pinworms, there will be nocturnal anal itching and scratching of the skin around the anus. But when infected with roundworms, specific symptoms will be a cough, symptoms of bronchitis, and an increase in lymph nodes.
To diagnose helminthiasis, doctors conduct a fecal analysis for helminths, a clinical blood analysis and a pinworm scraping. Additional diagnostic methods may be prescribed - for example, ultrasound examination of internal organs, radiography.
Analyses for worms do not always show the presence of them in the body, so specialists may prescribe a three-time examination of all tests.
More information about what symptoms will indicate the presence of worms in a child and what helminth eggs look like can be found on our website https://dobrobut.com/.
Treatment of helminthiasis in children
Any medicine against helminths has high toxicity, so they should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor and in a strictly specified dosage so as not to cause harm to the child. The most famous drug for the treatment of helminthiasis is Piperazine, which has a narrow spectrum of action and "works" only against nematodes. Its effect is to exert a paralytic effect on adult worms, but eggs and larvae do not suffer. Worms are removed from the child's body with feces, without releasing toxins. If the child is diagnosed with too many helminths, this drug will be ineffective. How to get rid of worms with the help of Piperazine, as well as the exact dosage and schedule of taking the drug, the doctor will indicate - self-medication in this case is categorically inappropriate.
Another quite effective drug is Pyrantel, which can be used for children from the second six months of life. These deworming tablets for children are prescribed as a single dose, but in most cases, doctors recommend taking them again after 2-3 weeks. Pyrantel is most often used to treat helminthiasis in children under 3 years of age.
Treatment of worms in children older than 2 years is carried out with the help of Vermox, which is effective against most types of helminths and is capable of destroying even a large number of them. True, Vermox has powerful side effects - abdominal pain, increased body temperature, diarrhea, vomiting, hair loss, and various allergic reactions.
Dekaris is prescribed to children over the age of 3 for the treatment of helminths - a powerful drug that has the widest possible spectrum of action. This drug is very toxic, causes the death of many helminths at once, which will necessarily be accompanied by severe intoxication.
Pay attention: there are many ways to get rid of helminths with the help of various herbs and products. Turning to folk medicine should not be a priority, since only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis, find out what kind of helminths have affected the child and, already on the basis of these data, prescribe adequate treatment.
The doctor must determine whether the child has worms and whether he needs treatment. Parents are faced with the task of carrying out preventive measures.
Prophylactic measures
Prevention of worms in children is a simple matter and does not require any special knowledge. Parents only have to follow some rules:
- before every meal, the child must wash his hands thoroughly with soap and hot water;
- nail trimming should be done regularly;
- a small child needs to regularly change his underwear, preventing him from becoming heavily soiled;
- in the rooms where the child plays most often, it is necessary to do wet cleaning regularly;
- it is extremely undesirable to have a pet in the house/apartment while the child is small;
- Once an hour, the whole family takes prophylactic anthelmintic drugs, but only after consulting a doctor.
Worms in children is a rather unpleasant fact, which can be quickly and without much trouble to get rid of. Parents should only pay attention to the deterioration of the child's health in time and seek qualified medical help, and not engage in self-medication.
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