In this article, we consider the treatment of ascariasis in children and adults. What is this pathology? How does it manifest?
Ascaridosis is a disease related to intestinal helminthiasis. It is caused, as a rule, by the helminth of roundworm. This disease occurs everywhere, and virtually any person can become infected with roundworms. This occurs when eating fruits or vegetables that may have been contaminated with soil containing roundworm eggs.
This disease can not be found only where permafrost prevails, as well as in deserts. In the rest of the world, people with any race and age suffer from ascariasis. Nevertheless, the most frequent infection is observed in areas with subtropical and tropical climates.
What is the treatment of ascariasis, consider below.
Infection pathways
The only source of helminths is the carrier (sick person). Ascarids are infected by transferring their eggs, which contain viable larvae, into the human body with dirty food. Symptoms and treatment of ascariasis in children and adults are similar.
The main factors in the transmission of helminths are poorly washed vegetables and fruits, herbs, salads. Infection can also occur when drinking dirty water, but such cases are much less common. The risk group includes people who, in connection with their professional activities, are forced to constantly contact the land - these are farmers, agricultural workers. In addition, a high incidence of ascariasis is observed in people with a low level of hygiene culture.
A person infected with ascariasis is not contagious to others, since helminth eggs are secreted by him in a non-invasive form. In order for them to cause ascariasis, it is necessary that they mature in warm soil. This process takes approximately 14-20 days, which depends on the temperature of the earth and its humidity. In adverse conditions, the viability of Ascaris eggs can last up to 10-13 years.
The causative agent of ascariasis
The causative agent of this pathology is the worm (helminth) of ascaris, which belongs to the category of nematodes (roundworms). This organism is heterosexual, with a fusiform body shape. The female reaches a size of 30-40 cm, and the male - 20-25 cm. This type of helminths parasitizes only in the human body.
There are several stages in the development of this parasite:
- Egg. Ascaris females lay eggs in the body, in particular in the intestines, where they carry out their vital functions. After this, the eggs, along with feces, are brought out and ripen in the ground. During this period, a larva is formed, and such an egg can already be considered infectious, since when it enters the human body, it causes ascariasis disease (symptoms and treatment will be discussed in the article).
- Stage larvae. Already in the intestine, a larva emerges from the egg, which develops and turns into a helminth, which can penetrate through the intestinal wall into vessels and other organs.
- A sexually mature individual that multiplies and lays new eggs.
Before treating ascariasis in adults, it is necessary to be able to recognize its symptoms.
Symptoms of the disease
The clinical picture of this pathology has some features that depend on the stage of development of ascariasis.
Symptoms of the migratory stage of the disease are:
- An increase in temperature to subfebrile indicators, accompanied by general weakness in the body, muscle aches, and slight malaise.
- The appearance of rashes on the surface of the skin, especially in cases where a person is prone to allergic reactions. However, this is not related to allergens. The rash is a red spot that can be very itchy. The localization of such skin reactions is the most diverse.
- Bronchitis or pneumonia. These symptoms occur at the time of migration of Ascaris larvae from blood vessels to lung tissue, after which they move to the upper respiratory sections. The patient may experience coughing and secretion of a small amount of sputum of a transparent color.
The symptoms of ascariasis depend on what stage the disease goes through. And treatment in adults and children should be started immediately.
At the moment of migration of helminth larvae, intoxication of the body occurs, resulting from tissue damage and the accumulation of toxins secreted by parasites during their life.
Symptoms of ascariasis of this stage in different people can be very different. Signs may be absent, and there may be a clinical picture of the development of severe forms of pneumonia, allergies and intoxication. The migratory stage of ascariasis lasts about two weeks, after which the disease passes into the intestinal stage.
Consider the symptoms and treatment of ascariasis of this form.
Manifestations of the intestinal stage can be as follows:
- Robbery syndrome - a condition in which there is insufficient intake of vitamins and nutrients in the blood of a person. This is due to the consumption of these substances by helminths. There is a sharp decrease in weight, iron deficiency, a decrease in hemoglobin, polyneuropathy, weakness, sleep disturbance, memory impairment. Children may develop cramps, as well as a serious delay in the development of psychomotor functions.
- Dyspeptic syndrome - inflammatory reactions of the small intestine as a response to irritation of the mucous membranes by movements of roundworms. In this case, a decrease in appetite, periodic pain in the abdomen, stool disorders, flatulence, nausea and belching may develop.
In cases of a small number of helminths in the intestine, the symptoms of the disease may be absent. Treatment of ascariasis should be timely, then there will be no complications.
Possible complications
Ascaris waste products inside the human body can cause a number of complications. These include:
- Obturation (blockage) of the bile ducts with roundworm.
- Cholecystitis, in some cases, the development of a liver abscess is possible. Treatment of ascariasis can be difficult.
- Pancreatitis
- Acute appendicitis.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Asphyxia sometimes develops in children - a state of suffocation caused by the entry of parasites into the larynx and airways.
Treatment of ascariasis in children should be comprehensive.
Diagnosis of ascariasis
In order to diagnose "ascariasis", it is necessary to use the following laboratory and instrumental methods:
- Analysis of feces for worm eggs.
- General blood analysis.
- Sputum examination.
- Intestine X-ray using a contrast medium.
- X-rays of light.
- A study of blood plasma to detect specific antibodies active against roundworms.
Consider the symptoms and treatment of ascariasis in children.
Symptoms in a child
If the body has a small number of eggs, then the signs of pathology in children will be weakly expressed. But in case of severe infection, the poisoning of the body is quite serious. The following is noted:
- temperature rises to 38 °;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- the child begins to complain of a headache;
- the volume of the liver and spleen increases;
- dermatitis occurs on the feet and hands;
- there is a cough with purulent sputum, which provokes inflammatory areas (infiltrates) in the lungs, damage to the bronchi.
In the late stage, the baby may suffer from dyspepsia, dysentery, which are accompanied by:
- bloating;
- nausea
- increased salivation;
- vomiting
- sharp weight loss;
- fatigue
- lack of appetite, cramping in the abdomen on the right or in the navel;
- itching and redness of the anus;
- photophobia, pupil enlargement;
- stomatitis.
How is ascariasis treated in children?
Therapy in children
Therapy is aimed at the destruction and elimination of parasites, the restoration of the intestines and the elimination of the consequences. A single or multiple doses of anthelmintic drugs are prescribed, and a laxative for bowel cleansing is also indicated.
First, give activated carbon or any other sorbent for the speedy removal of toxins. Irritation of the intestinal mucosa is relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs. With pneumonia and bronchitis, antibiotics are prescribed. For allergies, antihistamines are prescribed. Dysbacteriosis is eliminated by means containing beneficial bacteria.
Adult Therapy
Therapeutic measures should also be aimed at the actual destruction of parasites, as well as their larvae in the human body. Such therapy is called etiotropic. For this purpose, it is necessary to use anthelmintic medications with a wide spectrum of action against roundworms.
The main drugs used today are:
- Vermox
- "Fed";
- "Piperazine";
- Levamisole;
- Albendazole
- "Pirantel";
- "Mebendazole" and others.
All drugs are taken once, in a specific therapeutic dose. After taking the drug, a repeated diagnostic study is performed. This is done in order to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.
Additionally, symptomatic therapy is used in the treatment of ascariasis in adults.
Nemozol
Often treated with ascariasis "Nemozol." The main active ingredient is albendazole. Its advantage is a wide spectrum of anthelmintic activity, as well as the ability to affect even helminth larvae. An oral dose is prescribed. The product is not chewed or crushed. As a rule, a single dose will be enough. Children are prescribed a liquid dosage form.
Treatment of ascariasis should be carried out under the supervision of an infectious disease doctor and, as a rule, consists of certain organizational and regime measures, clinical follow-up, and prevention of relapse.
Like any other disease, it is best to eliminate it at an early stage, since helminths multiply rapidly, disrupting the work of many vital systems of the body. Therapy of this disease has favorable prognoses, especially in cases of the location of roundworm in the intestine.
Treatment of ascariasis with folk remedies
The systematic use and compliance with the dosages of folk remedies indicated in the recipes will be effective. Often resort to bitter wormwood, tansy, chamomile pharmacy. In plant raw materials there is a high content of active active substances that cause a wide variety of adverse reactions.
- Carrot juice or fresh root vegetables will help get rid of roundworms in 2 weeks.
- Sauerkraut juice is taken in a course of one week, 0.5 cups before meals.
- Onions or garlic (1 head) insist one night in a glass of boiling water. Consume before meals for a week.
- Effective pumpkin seeds from the disease. Also, for prevention, they can be regularly consumed.
- Green, unripe fruits with soft nucleoli have an anthelmintic effect. They are steamed in the amount of 4 tbsp. l in 1 cup boiling water, slightly salted. Cool off under the lid, wring out. It can be combined with laxatives.
Ascaridosis Prevention
Immunity to helminthic invasion in humans is not formed. Therefore, in order to avoid reinfection with roundworms, it is necessary to observe elementary rules of body hygiene and food processing. Before eating, it is advisable to douse vegetables and fruits with boiling water, and the meat should undergo heat treatment.
We examined the symptoms and treatment of ascariasis in adults and children.