Roundworms in children are quite common, especially among preschoolers who do not understand that you can’t take their hands in their mouths. Timely diagnosis is quite rare, so parasites are detected at later stages, in the presence of serious complications.
Parents may be suspected of having Ascaris infection in their children. In this case, the baby should be taken to the doctor and pass the tests prescribed by him.
Features of this helminthiasis
Ascaridosis is a helminthic disease caused by roundworms. This is one of the most common worms. They parasitize only in the human body. Roundworms belong to dioecious creatures. Females have sizes up to 40 cm, and males up to 15 cm.
Since roundworms in the intestine move very freely, without attaching to its walls, they do not go out with feces. This greatly complicates the diagnosis. The female in the intestine is able to lay several thousand eggs per day, which are secreted together with feces and enter the external environment.
Roundworms in children are dangerous because with their presence in the body there is constant intoxication, disrupting the work of all organs. If too many worms appear, intestinal obstruction develops.
How does infection happen?
After looking at the photos of roundworm in children, you can see exactly how this worm looks. Adult females parasitize in the intestines for 1-2 years and during this time they lay many eggs. Future larvae are excreted along with feces and must develop in an oxygen environment over a period of time.
Ascaridosis is most prevalent in regions with a warm and humid climate, where fecal contamination of water and soil is present. Such conditions are required for the normal maturation of eggs and the spread of parasites. The life cycle of roundworm includes several stages of development, two of which occur inside the human body.
In children, such a disease occurs quite often due to non-compliance with hygiene. Infection can also occur when unwashed vegetables and fruits are consumed.
Infection occurs after penetration of roundworm eggs into the baby's mouth. It is almost impossible to determine the presence of a disease at this stage. Larvae are able to penetrate the intestines, lymphatic or blood vessels. Together with blood, they are carried throughout the body and penetrate into all organs and systems.
The main symptoms and treatment of roundworm in children largely depend on the stage of development of the worms and their number. The small intestine contains mainly several roundworms, which, interwoven with each other, can form a tight ball, thereby provoking intestinal obstruction.
Stages of the disease
The early stage of the disease develops in the first 2 months after infection. Immediately after penetration into the child’s body, the larvae are distributed throughout all organs and tissues. At the same time, they provoke the occurrence of severe allergies and intoxication. Therefore, the presence of roundworms in children can be recognized by such signs as:
- Dry cough.
- Rashes on the skin.
- Temperature rise.
Doctors usually attribute these symptoms to the development of colds and food allergies. Having penetrated the intestines of a child, the larvae penetrate deeply into its walls and enter the bloodstream, and then into the liver, heart and lungs. Being in the lungs, the larvae provoke a cough and other signs of bronchitis. At the same time, together with sputum, they enter the oral cavity, where they are swallowed back and from there penetrate again into the intestine. This is how the development cycle ends. At all stages of the life cycle, characteristic symptoms are observed.
After some time, the larvae become adults and continue to live in the large intestine. It is worth noting that roundworms do not injure the walls of the intestine, however, they suck out all the useful substances from the consumed food. When the intestines are clogged with a ball of roundworm, severe pain in the abdomen is observed, which requires urgent hospitalization in the surgical department. In addition, ascariasis can develop without complications and in this case nothing hurts the child, which greatly complicates the process of diagnosis.
What roundworms look like in children, we described above. Note that only dead individuals can be found in feces.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of roundworm in children can be as follows:
- Allergic manifestations on the skin.
- Fever, irritability, and weakness.
- Nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss.
- Pain in the liver, enlarged spleen in size.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Periodic coughing, pneumonia, bronchitis.
- Grinding with teeth (not a characteristic symptom, because it can indicate various ailments).
- Sleep disturbance.
- Hard breath.
- The formation of ulcers in the oral cavity.
If you do not pay attention to these symptoms of roundworm in children in a timely manner, then after about 2-3 months the intestinal stage of the disease will begin to develop. Adult parasites will settle in the intestines of the child. As a result of this, the following symptoms appear:
- Frequent headaches, stunted growth and development.
- Diarrhea, flatulence, constipation.
- Vomiting, profuse salivation.
- Sore throat without accompanying signs of a cold.
- Decreased immunity.
- Abdominal pain.
- Itching in the anus.
- Stomatitis.
At the stage of migration, the larvae can penetrate the lungs, causing the occurrence of microbleeding. During this period, the child may experience wheezing and coughing. The temperature may remain within normal limits, and bloody discharge is not observed in sputum. In this case, the doctor can prescribe treatment for acute respiratory infections, and the roundworm that provoked such signs remain unnoticed.
At the first suspicions of the presence of roundworms in a child, Komarovsky recommends a comprehensive diagnosis, which will determine the presence of parasites in the body.
Diagnostics
If you suspect the presence of helminths, a comprehensive diagnosis is required in order to be able to timely recognize infection with parasites. The presence of roundworms in larval form can be recognized by the number of specific leukocyte cells in the blood. These indicators indicate the course of ascariasis, as well as the presence of an allergic reaction.
At this stage of infection, parasites in the body can be detected through a general analysis of blood and sputum. Diagnosis is also carried out by analyzing feces for the presence of eggs in it. It is worth noting that adult roundworms in feces in a child are found very rarely. It is also necessary to take tests after the treatment, to make sure that the result is achieved.
Additional examination methods include x-rays of the lungs and intestines. It must be carried out during the period of migration of larvae. It is advisable to take an x-ray several times with an interval of two days, and then compare the results. In addition to all these methods, other diagnostic methods are also used. These include ultrasound, as well as tomography. Only after a comprehensive diagnosis is the required treatment method selected.
Treatment features
Komarovsky said that the baby does not need to be excluded from visiting the kindergarten and contact with other children about the treatment of roundworm in a child, since it is not dangerous. A prerequisite for the appointment of drugs is the presence in the feces of eggs of these helminths. For preventive purposes, medications are not prescribed, since they can provoke a deterioration in the well-being of the baby.
It is recommended to carry out complex treatment of roundworm in children. In this case, medications are given to the child sequentially. Do not engage in self-medication, as only a qualified doctor will be able to choose the required dosage, which does not harm the weakened body.
Typically, treatment is prescribed simultaneously to all members of the family where the child has been infected, in order to protect him from reinfection, as well as as a preventive measure. In addition, in the presence of worms (roundworm) in children, it is imperative to carry out a general cleaning in the apartment.
After each act of defecation, the child must be washed. You must also wash the pot thoroughly. The child should not be allowed to touch or comb the anus. It is forbidden to take objects into the mouth and hands, as they may contain roundworm eggs.
Bed linen should be washed at a high temperature in the washing machine before starting therapy and after it is completed. In this way, you need to wash not only bedding, but also all items of clothing of the child and other family members.
It is mandatory to wash all furniture in the house with a soap solution or a special detergent added to the water. Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of switches, furniture and door handles, children's toys. In addition, you must periodically wipe all surfaces that the infected child has touched.
Throughout the course of therapy, you must follow a special diet with a restriction of sweet foods. With ascariasis, it is important to adhere to a diet. It is necessary to exclude fatty, spicy and fried foods from the usual diet. It is also worth observing the drinking regimen, drinking 1-1.5 liters of water daily, depending on the age and weight of the child.
Drug therapy
How to withdraw roundworms in a child, only the attending doctor can give recommendations after a comprehensive diagnosis. It is forbidden to take medicine without a doctor's prescription. There are certain medications that help destroy larvae and adult parasites. Most drugs should be taken once, with a repeat of 14-20 days. The doctor develops a treatment regimen for roundworm in children and tells parents what to do after taking the drugs. The course of therapy may include such drugs:
- Anthelmintic - “Pirantel”, “Albendazole” (once).
- Enterosorbents - Lactofiltrum, Enterosgel, Smecta (5 days).
- Enzyme preparations - Mezim Forte, Creon (14 days).
- Probiotics - “Acipol”, “Bifiform” (21 days).
- Vitamin Complexes - Multitabs (1 month).
All these medicines can be given to the child in parallel, immediately after the cancellation of the anthelmintic. The dosage of drugs is calculated strictly individually, depending on body weight. Children under 3 years of age should preferably be given in the form of a suspension.
In the treatment of ascariasis, a good result is the use of a drug such as Vermox. This drug blocks the absorption of glucose by helminths, which is the basis of their nutrition. Ascaris die as a result of this. This drug is not prescribed for children with severe helminthic invasion, since under the influence of the drug, the motor activity of worms may increase. As a result of this, vomiting and the penetration of worms into the respiratory system may occur.
Intoxic is well established , as it helps fight various types of helminths, including roundworms. This medicine can be used for treatment and as a prophylactic. It consists of plant components, as well as other components that are not harmful to health and do not cause adverse reactions. You need to take it 30 minutes before consuming food.
Another good drug are drops of "Baktefort", which will help to get rid of ascariasis comprehensively. Due to their unique qualities, they are able to very quickly cleanse the body of parasites, and also eliminate signs of intoxication.
If the child is one year old, roundworms can provoke many complications, which is why it is necessary to conduct complex therapy. It is worth noting that some drugs can provoke the occurrence of side effects. The smaller the child’s age, the greater the likelihood of developing negative manifestations, which include:
- Rashes on the skin.
- Abdominal pain.
- A slight increase in temperature.
- Nausea.
If adverse reactions last for a few hours to 2 days, then they are not dangerous. If they do not pass for a long time, then you need to consult a doctor, since it is possible to develop an acute allergic reaction to the drug.
Folk remedies
Many parents are interested in how to treat roundworms in children with folk remedies, since they believe that they are safer for the child's body. The healers advise to water the child by such means:
- Chamomile broth.
- Carrot juice.
- Hemp oil.
Among the more powerful drugs, an extract of aspen bark should be distinguished. It can be taken for prevention, as well as if there are contraindications for the use of anthelmintic drugs. Fresh garlic, which can be eaten as a preventative measure, also helps to cope with helminths.
You can eat raw pumpkin seeds or prepare a healing broth based on them. The course of therapy is 14-21 days. From parasites decoctions of medicinal herbs well help. They can be prepared on the basis of wormwood, tansy, chamomile flowers. All components must be mixed in equal parts, pour hot water and insist, then strain and take daily.
To remove parasites from the child's body, you can use pomegranate peel. To do this, you need to fill it with water and boil for 30 minutes over low heat. You need to take a decoction 3 times every 30 minutes. After the last dose of the drug, you need to give the child a laxative pill.
A good treatment for ascariasis is carrot juice. You can also consume raw carrots. After eating these products, you also need to give a laxative.
Effectively, ascariasis can be treated with celandine juice. To prepare the medicine, you need to skip the fresh plant through a meat grinder, and then squeeze the juice out of it, using a gauze or bandage. Then you need to dilute 2 drops of juice in 30 ml of water and take this medicine. Celandine has a paralyzing effect on helminths, so they will leave the intestines. It is worth noting that the composition of this plant contains toxic substances that can enter the human blood, therefore, it must be used very carefully.
Possible complications
If the number of roundworms in the small intestine becomes very large, then they can provoke intestinal obstruction, accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen and constant vomiting. Without providing the necessary medical care, the intestinal walls may burst, resulting in peritonitis.
In addition to the intestines, worms can penetrate the bile ducts, clogging them and provoking the development of jaundice. Penetrating into the appendix, roundworms provoke its inflammation. Worms can also get into the respiratory system, as a result of which asthma attacks are observed.
Prophylaxis
The most effective preventive measure against infection with roundworms is compliance with personal hygiene. The child must wash his hands with soap after each visit to the street and toilet. Fruits and vegetables, as well as berries and greens, must be carefully processed before consumption.