Helminthic infestations are a headache for any parent. By and large, people are defenseless against this scourge. It is difficult to protect themselves from them, since even following all the rules of hygiene, you can become infected with worms. It is sad that it is not always possible to recognize the disease at the initial stage, since helminthiasis can be asymptomatic, which, unfortunately, does not cancel the harm caused by the disease.
This article is devoted to roundworms and ascarids caused by the disease - ascaridosis.
Ascaridosis in children ranks first in the ranking of worms in the body. But some parents are not serious about roundworms, believing that they cannot cause serious malfunctions in the body.
The development of roundworms occurs in several stages. To get infected, a person needs to swallow mature roundworm eggs. Having penetrated the intestine, larvae are released from the eggs, which can penetrate the blood through the intestinal wall. Moving along with blood, Ascaris larvae penetrate into the lungs, and from there into the bronchi and pharynx, and then again find themselves in the small intestine. Here they can turn into an adult, able to gain a foothold and lay eggs. The life of roundworm in the intestine can last up to a year, while the female throws more than two hundred thousand eggs daily. Those with feces penetrate the soil, where they remain viable for several years.
Ascaridosis in children is quite common, because it is almost impossible to make the baby’s life completely sterile. Children love to play in the sand, where worm eggs can wait their time, often eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, and take dirty hands in their mouths. Therefore, it is very important to teach a child to wash his hands after going to the toilet, after playing outside, before eating; eat only washed vegetables and fruits; Do not play with shoes intended for the street; wash toys and do wet cleaning. These preventive measures, of course, will not always be able to completely protect the child from worms, but it is quite possible to minimize the risk of infection with their help.
What are the symptoms of ascariasis in children? In the process of ascaris migration through the lungs, fever, chest cough, and pain in the chest area can occur. At the stage of penetration into the intestines, roundworms can make themselves felt in the form of abdominal pain, changed stool (constipation, diarrhea), the child may feel sick, he is very vulnerable to all kinds of colds.
In addition, general malaise, drowsiness, nervousness, and grinding of teeth during sleep can signal about ascariasis. When a child’s body is affected by roundworms, the following signs of ascariasis in children may be observed: lack of appetite or, on the contrary, a constant feeling of hunger; sharp weight loss or weight gain, weakness. In the process of life, roundworms emit toxins, which, penetrating the bloodstream, cause skin rashes and allergic reactions.
At the slightest sign of ascariasis, you should consult a doctor. Many parents, trusting traditional medicine, turn to the advice of experienced grandmothers - healers. Sometimes it helps, but, unfortunately, some folk remedies for controlling roundworms in specific cases can not only not help, but even harm. Therefore, go to the doctor, he will analyze the data of laboratory tests, compare them with the symptoms of the disease, if necessary, make an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, and on the basis of the data obtained will prescribe a course of treatment.
I must say that untreated ascariasis in children can lead to serious problems. The fact that the parasite lives and hosts the intestine is already unpleasant, but it is worse that the symptoms of ascariasis (abdominal pain, nervous disorders, decreased memory and attention) can only be the tip of the iceberg.
Accumulations of roundworms can lead to peritonitis, cause jaundice, an attack of appendicitis, or an attack of suffocation. You must admit that no one will wish such a fate to their child, therefore it is important to understand that ascariasis in children is a serious problem that will not go away by itself.