Helminths (worms), as well as pathological microorganisms, are invariable companions of all human life from the earliest childhood. Should we be afraid of them, how, when and with what it is necessary to treat the disease in children, what to do so that the kids do not become infected - let's try to deal with these issues.

A few months after birth, the child begins to actively behave, learning the world with all the organs of perception. First of all, hands. He feels all the objects that come across to him, actively moves around the floor on all fours, then sends his fingers to his mouth. Thus, the eggs of almost all types of helminths enter the baby's body.

What are helminths

• round (nematodes) - pinworms,;
• tape (cestodes) - pork tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus;
• flatworms, flukes (trematodes).

By habitat should be distinguished:

Reproduction and migration of larvae of some worms can take place outside the human body, or move in the body in different phases of the life cycle.

Another type of worms, most common in children, are roundworms. Characteristic species, reaching a length of 15 cm, these nematodes settle in the lumen of the loops of the small intestine, advancing towards the moving food bolus. In the feces, roundworms are very rare. Females periodically release eggs, which can be found in the analysis of feces. But if they were not found during the study, this does not mean that the child is not infected. The life cycle of roundworm can last several years.

Ingestion of pinworm eggs into the gastrointestinal tract causes infection. In the external environment, they erupt with infected feces. Egg shells are highly viable in the external environment and small in size. The curiosity of the baby is realized by his fingers, the child, learning the world, actively touches everything that comes to his hand and immediately pulls it into his mouth, testing for strength and taste. Thus, pinworm eggs safely enter the digestive tract of their future little host.

• hygiene rules are not observed;
• wet cleaning is not carried out regularly;
• children are offered unwashed vegetables and fruits;
• animals live;
• the child does not have the skill of washing hands after a walk, toilet, especially before eating.

Symptoms of worms in children

These general complaints are typical for the clinic of both enterobiasis and ascariasis. Specific additional signs of infection of a child with pinworms:

• nocturnal anal itching, caused by skin irritation at the time the female helminth crawls out to lay eggs;
• scratching the skin around the anus, due to severe itching;
• in girls - signs of inflammatory processes of the external genital organs.

Specific signs of infection of a child with ascaris:

• dry cough, symptoms of bronchitis, pleura;
• enlargement of parenchymal organs and lymph nodes.

These conditions are caused by the fact that eggs and larvae of ascaris in the first phase of their life cycle most often penetrate the lungs, liver, spleen, and heart. Their migration lasts three months, and then they enter the intestines by swallowing. These specific features are joined by general ones.

Methods for diagnosing helminthic invasions

After the appearance of complaints and the first clinical symptoms that make it possible to suspect infection of the child, it is necessary to carry out:

• triple stool tests for helminths with an interval of several days;
• blood tests for helminths and giardiasis;
• scraping on pinworms.

Additional diagnostic methods include:

• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• and MRI.

Treatment of helminthiases in children

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Antihelminthic drugs have toxic properties, therefore, when taking them, maximum care must be taken so as not to harm the child. It is important to observe a moderate dosage. The most important thing is not to self-medicate. Take medications only as prescribed by a doctor. Sometimes a combination of several drugs may be prescribed, which are taken in several stages.

Important: Be sure to pay attention to the contraindications of tablets from worms.

One of the old, proven and low-toxic drugs is piperazine. It has a narrow spectrum of action, acts only on nematodes. Its effect is to cause paralysis of adult helminths. Eggs and larvae are not affected. Worms are excreted with feces without releasing toxins. With a large number of helminths - ineffective. Side effects can manifest as pain in the lower abdomen, nausea, diarrhea, trembling in the body, visual disturbances, hallucinatory phenomena, mood swings, etc.
Pirantel can be prescribed to children from the second half of life. This medicine is considered one of the best used in pediatric practice. It is used once with the possibility of re-admission after 2-3 weeks. It is important to follow the rules of hygiene in the child. Side effects are similar to those of piperazine. The drug is used in children under 3 years of age.
Vermox(mebendazole) is prescribed for children older than 2 years of age. Effective against a large number and varieties of helminths. Also used for mixed helminthic infections. But it also has more severe side effects. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, allergic reactions, hair loss are often observed. On the part of the blood, a decrease in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes may occur. The content of eosinophils increases (a sign of allergy). During pregnancy and lactation is contraindicated.

Albendazole. This drug is also prescribed for children older than 2 years. The action is similar to Vermox, but even more pronounced. It is used for severe helminthic invasions. Its appointment should be carried out exclusively by a doctor and preferably in a hospital setting. This need is caused by side effects similar to previous drugs. They appear much more often and stronger. This must be remembered.
Decaris(levamisole) is recommended for children after 3 years. It has a wide anthelmintic spectrum of action.
note: in addition to the usual side effects, possible convulsions, joint pains, and may cause liver dysfunction. The action of the drug causes mass death of helminths and a powerful intoxication reaction. When it appears, it is necessary to carry out therapy with adsorbents. A brief overview of drugs for worms is presented in this video review:

Folk remedies used for worms

Important: it should be remembered that these methods can only be used in addition to the main drug treatment.

Usually, all helminths that can infect a child's body are divided into several groups.

The diagnosed diseases associated with them are enterobiasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis and trichinosis, respectively.

2. Flat type, tapeworms (cestodes)). These include:

• tapeworm or bovine tapeworm (disease - teniarinhoz);
• rat or pygmy tapeworm (disease - hymenolepiasis);
• pork tapeworm (disease - taeniasis);
• echinococcus (echinococcal infection);
• wide tapeworm (disease - diphyllobothriasis).

3. Trematodes or fluke worms. These include:

• Siberian and cat fluke (disease - opistrochiasis);
• liver fluke (disease - fascioliasis);
• and etc.

How can a child get worms?

As mentioned earlier, one of the most common types of helminthic infections among children is infection with nematodes (roundworms and pinworms) and much less often, but still there are cases of whipworm infection.

Infection with nematodes is possible in some cases

• Violations of the rules of personal hygiene - poorly washed hands after a walk or going to the toilet, unwashed hands before eating.
• Child eating poorly washed fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, etc.
• Contact with the infected helminths in humans or animals.

The remaining types of worm infestation make up a small percentage of the total statistics, and they can be associated with different points.

• Traveling to exotic countries.
• With the use of poorly fried meat or river fish.
• With contact with animals infected with worms.
• With systematic and gross violations of the rules of personal hygiene, as well as sanitary rules.

It should be noted that when a child is infected with pinworms, the baby's anus is very itchy, and he, unable to restrain himself, combs it. After that, eggs of worms settle on the handles of the crumbs, which move to all things and objects that the child touches. This is how the infection of the immediate environment, and himself, as they say, "in a circle" occurs.

A real breeding ground for nematode eggs are preschool institutions and street institutions: playgrounds, playgrounds and rooms in shopping centers, etc. And given that babies put almost everything that falls into their hands into their mouths, the risks of infection increase many times over.

Symptoms that characterize the presence of worms in the body of a child

Analyzes and diagnostics

Even modern medical achievements cannot guarantee 100% correct diagnosis in terms of identifying worms in the body.

Therefore, the main type of diagnosis is a visual examination of the feces of the crumbs.

How to treat a child for worms? Ways and methods of treatment

If suspicions of helminthic infection are confirmed, treatment should be started immediately. And it should start with cleanliness and order in the house. This refers to daily wet cleaning, boiling and ironing bed linen, limiting the baby's access to street shoes, toys, and pets.

Antihelminthic drugs should be prescribed by the attending physician.

In addition, almost all antihelminthic drugs are contraindicated in children under two years of age.

Self-medication in case of infection with worms is strictly prohibited!

In addition to antihelminthic drugs, the doctor may also prescribe antihistamines in order to relieve allergic reactions, as well as supplement treatment with a drug that cleans the child's body of toxins that have come along with antihelminthic drugs.

However, as additional, as well as preventive measures, without any risk to the health of the crumbs, you can use traditional medicine with the permission of the doctor.

The most effective of them are the daily use of pumpkin seeds with peel, at the rate of 100 gr. for 10 kg. baby's weight and daily intake of freshly squeezed carrot juice. Also, in antihelminthic therapy, a decoction of birch buds, milk-garlic enemas and ordinary garlic are successfully used before each meal.

Symptoms and methods of treatment of helminthiasis caused by nematodes

Pathogen	Symptoms	Effective treatments
Roundworm	— slight temperature — Decreased vitality — In the mucus secreted during a dry cough, blood inclusions can be seen — Swelling of the nodes of the lymphatic system — Increased allergic sensitivity	Classical medicines from worms, agreed with the doctor. Suspension of pumpkin seeds in water , after taking which you need to drink a laxative to cleanse the intestines. Bowel lavage with enema - decoction of garlic in milk. The use of infusion of fresh walnuts in a dilute solution of table salt, followed by washing out the intestines. Infusion of chamomile, tansy, wormwood sea ​​and bitter, which must be taken for three days. Infusion of grains and pomegranate peel , take up to 4 times a day in small sips for 4 days.
Pinworms	— Itching at the anus — Unpleasant feeling in the abdomen — Increased allergic sensitivity — Sleep interrupted, restless	Standard Pharmaceuticals from worms. Eat raw pumpkin seeds with the skin on , after clean the intestines by washing. Do enemas for washing the intestines with a suspension of chopped garlic in water. Take beetroot juice on an empty stomach kept in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Carrot juice can be added to the settled beet juice, consumed for a couple of weeks. Grated onion gruel in salted sunflower oil eat before going to bed for 3-10 days.
trichuriasis	— Feeling nauseous — Increased tendency to vomit — poor appetite — Persistent bowel disorder — Pain sensations such as those that occur during attacks of appendicitis	Naftamon, the duration of which is determined by the results of the analysis. Mistletoe and Valerian Powder in a ratio of 1:2, take 3 times a day. Infusion of a mixture of centaury, tansy, yellow buckwheat root, three-leaf watch leaves in a ratio of 2:2:3:1, take 3-4 times a day for three weeks. Infusion of thyme drink 3 times a day, duration 2 weeks.
Trichinosis	— Heat — Allergic manifestations — Conjunctivitis — Feeling pain in the muscles	Mebendazole according to the instructions and indications of a doctor. A few pinches of a mixture of tansy powders , wormwood, cloves in a ratio of 6:2:3 eat before meals, the duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks. Infusion of fresh leaves or decoction of dried mistletoe leaves drink three times a day. Dried Dandelion Infusion drink a third of a glass in several doses throughout the day.
Ankylostomiasis	— Pain in the stomach — Decreased vitality — Edema — weight loss	combantrin by prescription. Infusion of cloves to be drunk several times a day on an empty stomach for 2-3 weeks.

2.

Symptoms and methods of treatment of helminthiasis caused by cestodes

Pathogen	Symptoms	Effective treatments
Hymenolepiasis	— Decreased general tone — Headache — Thirst — Weight loss — Memory impairment — Convulsive muscle contractions	Fenasal by prescription. in a mixture with jam, eat gradually in 20 minutes, the duration of the course is 2-3 weeks.
teniasis	— Intestinal disorder — Pain in the head — Sleep deterioration	Fenasal take with a doctor's prescription. male fern extract , sweetened with honey or jam, taken within twenty minutes, the duration of the course is 2-3 weeks. Consume Whole Pumpkin Seed Powder or gruel in water from dried seeds. Then make a cleansing lavage of the intestinal cavity.
Teniarinhoz	— General malaise — Feeling pain in the abdomen — Weight loss with strong appetite — Disorder in the work of the intestines in general	Praziquantrel by prescription. Niclosamide take with a doctor's prescription. Immortelle Flask drink before every meal Valerian Root Infusion drink before meals. Infusion from a mixture of equal proportions of pumpkin seeds, tansy flowers, buckthorn peels, green parts of mint pepper to take before meals. Mixture from chopped herring, two tablespoons of dry millet, three cloves of garlic and raw egg yolk, take it twice a day for a week. Eat plenty of pumpkin seeds with skin without water and other food.
Diphyllobothriasis	— Tendency to nausea, vomiting — Pain in the stomach and adjacent parts of the intestine — Irregular bowel movements of different consistency — Slightly elevated temperature — Feeling dizzy — Increasing signs of anemia	Fenasal by prescription. Decoction of pumpkin seeds . male fern extract use as in teniasis. Vitamin B 12. iron preparations.
Echinococcosis	— Feeling of lack of vitality — Severe constant pain in the abdominal cavity — When the worm is located in another organ, the sensations are the same as with tumors of this organ. — Significant rise in temperature	Only surgical removal

3.

Symptoms and methods of treatment of helminthiasis caused by trematodes

Pathogen	Symptoms	Effective treatments
Opisthorchiasis	— Elevated temperature — Feeling a slight aching pain in the joints, muscles — Unpleasant sensations of heartburn in the stomach with urge to vomit — Feeling of dizziness — Allergic-type reactions in various places of the body	Praziquantel by prescription. Birch tar take in breakfast, increase the amount from one to ten drops within 10-15 days. Suspension of ashes of linden branches in milk drink in the morning, the course is 7-10 days. A decoction of garlic in milk with the addition of cloves, use three times a day until recovery. Flax seed and clove powder in a ratio of 10:1 drink at intervals of three days for 1-2 months. Aspen bark decoction drink before meals, the duration of the course is 10-15 days.
Fascioliasis	— Acute allergic reactions in the form of rash, itching, fever — Strong feeling of pain under the rib on the right	Albendazole by doctor's prescription. Tricklabendazole on prescription. Take a decoction of garlic in milk for oral administration and washing the intestinal cavity with enemas. Eat plenty of pumpkin seeds in the skin.

Prevention

Preventive methods of antihelminthic therapy are not complicated and are available to every family.

To prevent worm infections:

1. First of all, it is necessary to teach the child wash your hands thoroughly after every walk, going to the toilet, after contact with animals, before eating (even if you have a light snack), etc.
2. Need to keep an eye on so that the baby’s nails are always cut very short, and he himself does not suck his fingers, does not lick toys (especially street toys), does not drag into his mouth, everything that falls into his hands, etc.
3. It is very important to wash fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs.
4. H to eat poorly fried/cooked foods: meat and fish.
5. It is very important to strengthen the immune system , provide the baby with all the necessary vitamins, walk in the fresh air, lead an active life.

To avoid re-infection, it is necessary to change the crumbs daily. It is important not to forget at the same time that linen should be washed at the maximum temperature, or better, boiled, and ironed daily with a hot iron.

The same rule is true for bed linen. Change of linen is necessary twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, while it is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene and wash the baby thoroughly twice a day.

Helminths are a disease that almost every child can get, regardless of his social status and the well-being of his parents. However, if the basic rules of personal hygiene are followed, the risks of infection are minimized. . Well, if it was not possible to avoid infection, then with timely seeking medical help and following all the recommendations received, it is possible to completely get rid of this extremely unpleasant disease within one month.

Video by Dr. Komarovsky