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According to statistics, the vast majority of adults at least once became victims of helminthiasis. The number of patients and carriers of helminthic invasion reaches 95%. For their life, parasites use almost all human organs: the liver, all parts of the intestines, brain, blood, muscles, lungs, eyes. Symptoms of the stay of uninvited guests are pain of varying intensity, diarrhea, headache. The result of helminthiasis is a violation of the functioning of organs, a lethal outcome is not excluded. Although the body produces antibodies after the invasion of helminths, this protection is not enough to destroy them. Therefore, it is important that the prevention of worms in adults and children is carried out regularly.
According to the World Health Organization, every year the number of inhabitants of the Earth infected with worms increases by 1,2 billion people. WHO experts say that 9 out of 10 people become the main or intermediate host of parasites. This will happen regardless of the region of residence, financial wealth and social status.
A person can become infected with more than 250 varieties of helminths. Worms are divided into roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes) and flukes (trematodes). An adult rarely enters the human body. The vast majority of helminthiases begin with eggs entering the organs and tissues, and the development of larvae. Adult individuals of some species that have emerged from them can reach up to 15 m in length.
Nonspecific prevention of worms in adults and children
In order to avoid infection with parasites, not to be diagnosed and exposed to drugs, it is important to carry out the prevention of worms in adults and children in advance.
Measures to prevent helminthiasis:
Personal hygiene and thorough hand washing are very important. Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the hands of children in order to reduce the risk of infection through household contacts.
In salted and smoked fish, in sushi, there may be eggs of tapeworms, infection with which is extremely dangerous. Cestodes are destroyed only by high-quality heat treatment, so beer fish lovers should be careful.
Fans of bloody steaks and kebabs should take care of their health – undercooked meat may contain eggs of tapeworms and tapeworms.
When visiting exotic countries, you need to thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, drink only bottled water, and be critical of traditional culinary dishes in these areas.
You should not walk barefoot on damp earth and wet sand, as this is a high risk of infection with nematodes.
Prevention of worms in children
This age category, like no other, is prone to infection with parasites. The desire to know the world, being in a children’s team, playing in the sandbox and on the playground increase the possibility of a child developing helminthic invasion. Here the role of parents is important, who must take care of the health of their children and carry out the prevention of worms.
Preventive measures:
Cleanliness of hands should be given constant attention.
At least 2 times a week, a full-fledged wet cleaning is carried out in the children’s room. At the same time, toys should be carefully processed: soft ones – with a vacuum cleaner, plastic ones – washed in soapy water.
It is necessary to strictly ensure that children of primary preschool age do not gnaw or lick toys, household items, do not pull sand into their mouths.
Contact with street and domestic animals can cause helminthiasis in a child. Pets should be regularly checked for the presence of parasites in a veterinary clinic, treated in a timely manner.
It is forbidden to independently carry out prophylaxis with anthelmintic drugs in children under 2 years of age, such appointments should be made by a doctor.
Prevention of worms in pregnant women
Most drugs have a teratogenic effect, that is, they can cause deformity and various pathologies in the unborn child. Therefore, pregnant women should refrain from treatment with highly toxic antihelminthic drugs.
In order to prevent infection with parasites, it is necessary to conduct a timely examination for worm eggs, observe hygiene rules and carry out the prevention of worms. It is obligatory to iron bed linen, to drink only boiled water. Natural remedies against parasites that will not harm anyone are onions, pumpkin seeds, garlic, red pepper. Children 3-4 years old can also use these measures for the prevention and treatment of helminthiasis.
Tablets for the prevention of worms: pros and cons
 Medicinal preparations for the treatment of helminthiases have a high toxic activity. Regarding their intake in order to prevent worms in adults and children, helminthologists and practitioners have diametrically opposed opinions. They consider such treatment to be something like “shooting sparrows with a cannon.” Scientists propose to confine ourselves to non-specific prevention of worms. If used regularly, other preventive measures may not be needed. |
When to take deworming tablets? Proponents of preventive treatment have a compelling case for the use of drugs. In some cases, this tactic is justified, despite the fact that ongoing laboratory tests show a negative result. For example, helminths in one family member oblige the rest to carry out preventive treatment of worms. A possible reason for taking anthelmintic drugs even with a negative test result:
Indications, in the presence of which the prevention of worms in adults and children is carried out:
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How to choose the optimal drug? Preparations for the destruction of helminths, depending on the spectrum of their action, are divided into specific and non-specific. The least toxic drugs are broadly directed. Pirantel, Decaris and Embonat pervinium have minimal side effects. As a prophylaxis of worms in adults, Vermox can be used. For the treatment of helminthic invasion, you should consult a doctor who will take into account contraindications and prescribe the optimal dosage. |
Pirantel Among the drugs recommended for the prevention of helminthiasis, Pirantel is considered the most harmless. Its action does not extend beyond the intestines, it does not enter the circulatory system. The active substance Pirantel paralyzes the muscular system of worms, which, together with feces, are excreted from the intestines. As a rule, Pirantel is recommended for the prevention of worms in children, but only as directed by a doctor. Minimal toxicity does not guarantee the absence of side effects – transient diarrhea, digestive disorders, nausea, allergic urticaria may occur. Dosage for prevention – 10 mg / kg body weight. Contraindications – pregnancy, liver and kidney failure. |
Vermox: toxic but effective Vermox, or Mebendazole, is effective against ascaris, pinworms, whipworm, and is considered a broad-spectrum drug. The active substance of Vermox disrupts the metabolic processes in the body of parasites, which leads to their death. Although the drug does not penetrate the circulatory system, it tends to accumulate in organs and tissues. Self-medication with Vermox leads to serious consequences, harm to health. Side effects of the drug – reduced immunity, allergic manifestations. Contraindications for use – children’s age, pregnancy, somatic diseases. |
Decaris – immune stimulant Decaris, or Levamisole is effective against ascariasis and mixed helminthic infestations. The active substance of the parasite paralyzes the respiratory muscles of helminths. Respiratory failure leads to their death. Decaris is often recommended for the treatment of debilitated patients, as it simultaneously acts as an immunomodulator. Side effects of the drug – insomnia, appetite disorders, irritability and irritability, muscle pain, inflammation of the oral mucosa. There may be disturbances in the perception of taste and smell. Prophylactic dose for adults – 150 mg, for children – 2.5 mg / kg of body weight. The medicine is used once at night. Contraindications – children under 3 years of age, used with caution during pregnancy, correlating the possible risk and benefit. |
Embonat pervinia The drug is of narrowly targeted action, it is used only for the treatment of enterobiasis. Pervinium Embonate blocks enzymes at the cellular level, after which the dead pinworms are removed from the digestive tract along with feces. A feature of the drug is that its metabolites can change the color of feces to a bright red color. Side effects – allergic reactions to toxic decay products of dead helminths that have entered the circulatory system. Compliance with hygiene rules will significantly reduce the risk of infection with worms. |
Video about methods of preventing worms
The pediatrician of the highest category will tell about the methods of prevention: Mikhailova Tatyana Mikhailovna: