Parasites live in the human body and try to get access to vitamins and nutrients in addition to removing toxins.Symptoms of parasitic infections are not always specific;it can be mistaken as a manifestation of other diseases.
Common symptoms in this case: weakness, extreme fatigue, decreased or increased appetite, severe hunger attacks, muscle pain and digestive disorders.
Other manifestations of the presence of worms will be various allergic reactions in the form of skin rashes, itching dermatoses, eczema, decreased hemoglobin levels, increased immunity, viral and bacterial diseases, unexplained anxiety, nervous system disorders and sleep disorders.When a child is sick, he may develop the following symptoms:
- weight loss;
- delay in the speed of intellectual and physical development;
- headache attacks.
If the above symptoms are detected, you cannot start self-treatment: it is dangerous for health, and there is a possibility that the disease is not related to worms.
Enterobiosis
The cause of this disease will be pinworms - small white worms.They are called the most common helminth infections in many developed countries of the world.Most often, helminths are diagnosed in children of preschool and primary school age.
Pinworms live in the human colon.While the patient is sleeping, the female parasite leaves him through the anus and begins to lay eggs on the skin near the anus.After a few hours, the worms can infect another person.
Eggs can be stored on underwear, bedding, clothes and toys for up to 14 days.If a person does not follow the rules of personal hygiene, he can easily get infected with pinworms.
The main symptoms of enterobiosis are itching near the anus, which usually occurs in the evening and at night.When the infestation is weak, the patient may not feel its symptoms;with an increase in the number of parasites, the itching becomes so painful that the patient scratches the skin until it bleeds, and the affected areas become painful and inflamed.
The characteristic manifestations of enterobiosis in young children are as follows:
- sleep disorder;
- mood;
- irritation;
- enuresis.
If left untreated, symptoms worsen.
ascariasis
Ascaris is a round worm that reaches 15-40 cm in length.The female parasite lays its eggs in the lumen of the intestine, from there it enters the environment and the soil, and is excreted in the feces.Infection is facilitated by contaminated fruits, vegetables and drinking water.This disease is more characteristic of children aged 5-10 years.
It usually takes about 2-3 weeks from the moment of infection until the first symptoms appear.At first, ascariasis occurs in the form of an allergic disease.
In preschool children, the acute stage will begin with an increase in body temperature of 37-37.5 degrees, skin rashes, bowel movements, abdominal pain, nausea.
When the parasitic infection becomes chronic:
- the child complains of periodic pain around the navel;
- appetite decreases;
- The stool is unstable, sometimes there is constipation.
Antiparasitic and symptomatic treatment is indicated.
Giardiasis
Giardia worms are protozoa;they have a suction disc on the front of their body that helps them stick to the walls of the intestinal epithelium.The parasite has no mouth;feeds on dissolved foods.The incubation period of the disease lasts from 7 to 20 days.
Parasitic infection begins acutely;a person experiences watery stools with an unpleasant smell and traces of oil.After that, pain occurs in the abdominal cavity, belching appears, appetite decreases, vomiting and nausea may occur from time to time.
The initial stage lasts up to 7 days;in many cases, all symptoms of invasion disappear spontaneously after 1-4 weeks.
When blastocyst invasion is detected, it can cause discoloration of the stool and the appearance of streaks of blood and mucus in it.Symptomatic treatment is also required.
Toxocarosis
Toxocara are large dioecious helminths, reaching 18 cm in length.The average duration of their life cycle is 4 months, and the maximum is six months.The main source of infection is dogs, and mostly puppies.A person becomes ill after:
- direct contact with a sick animal;
- entering the mouth soil with parasite eggs.
Children are susceptible to infection when playing with dogs or in the sand, and adults through household contact with an infectious animal (dog breeders, veterinarians, utility workers).Another common cause of toxocariasis is eating raw or undercooked meat.
Such parasitic infections can develop suddenly or after a temporary illness.In this case, signs of invasion: increased body temperature, itchy skin rash, significantly enlarged lymph nodes.
Prolonged low-grade fever can last for several months.If the stage of the disease is acute, a person experiences symptoms of bronchitis, pneumonia and severe asthma attacks.
Signs of infection in a sick child: body weakness, fatigue, sleep disturbance and unusual extreme irritability.In the absence of adequate and timely treatment, toxocarosis causes serious and dangerous complications:
- hepatitis;
- damage to the retina;
- pathologies of the nervous system;
- allergic reactions.
When the treatment is done correctly, the prognosis is always favorable.
Prevention methods
The main ways to prevent parasitic infections are:
- carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- drink only boiled water, well-washed vegetables and fruits;
- eating fresh, sufficiently fried and cooked meat.
It is equally important to teach the child not to eat food off the floor, not to put dirty things in his mouth, and also to deworm pets in time.Doctors also advise against letting children play in outdoor litter boxes, as such places often serve as toilets for cats and dogs.
You should know that there are some medicinal plants that increase the body's resistance to helminthic infestations, neutralize toxins, and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.These herbs include black walnut, wormwood, grapefruit, pumpkin seeds, and cloves.This treatment is available to everyone, has a general strengthening effect and does not cause negative reactions in the body.