Stowaways – are parasites still a real problem in children? [WE EXPLAIN]

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They are most common in children of preschool and school age. However, because the obligation to report parasitic diseases, which was in force until recently, no longer functions, it is not known how many children have settled in uninvited guests. It is known, however, that the problem of parasites in children is still present.

Contrary to appearances, Fr. the presence of parasites in the child’s body they don’t have to show any specific symptoms. Dilation of the pupils, night crying or allergy symptoms are just some of them. Unfortunately diagnostics of the presence of parasites in the child’s body it is a long and complicated path, full of ambiguities and uncertainties of the doctor. The lack of characteristic symptoms means that parasites are often diagnosed late, which in turn extends the treatment time.

– In the good old days, young people underwent parasitological inspections – periodically. It turned out that for 15 years no one in Poland has carried out an action that would allow monitoring the phenomenon of parasites in the youngest and whether we are observing any negative trends – said Janusz Dzisko, director of the Warmian-Masurian Sanepid, during the conference “Polish woman in Europe”.

What are they, how does infection occur and how to treat parasites among the youngest patients in Poland?

Parasites – how is it infected?

Parasites are most often detected in children who are not yet mature the habit of proper hygieneand, above all, washing hands after playing or using the toilet. It is enough for unwashed hands to go to a child’s mouth for the uninvited guest to settle in their body. Often the source of infection is also frequently unwashed toys, especially those used by more than one child. That is why so often to parasite infections comes in kindergartens and schools.

However, these are not the only places where infection can occur. Public transport, digging with your hands in the ground, playing with domestic animals, or even too rarely changed towels and bedding may cause a problem.

Unfortunately, the path of infection may not always be excluded by us. While we can teach a child to pay special attention to hygiene and the habit of washing hands after leaving the toilet or after playing, there are paths of infection with parasites that are completely independent of us.

Sometimes a child becomes infected with parasites during a meal. One food ingredient infected with parasite eggs is enough for the worm to settle in the child’s body. When preparing meals at home, we are sure that the products used for this purpose have been thoroughly washed beforehand. Worse when the child eats away from home.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the infection also occurs through contact with another infected child. It is enough to shake hands or contact with the saliva of a child who has worms. Since the detection of parasites requires only collecting a stool sample, it is worth performing this test periodically and entering it on the list of preventive examinations.

In order to prevent parasitic infections, it is worth reaching for Worms – a mixture of herbs available on Medonet Market.

The most common parasites in children

Despite the fact that, as parents, we try to ensure that our children function and develop in hygienic, safe conditions – parasites can appear in the body of almost every child. It is estimated that the problem may affect even every third child.

Experts talk about the so-called the big five parasiteswhich most often settle in children’s organisms. These are:

1. cheese;
2. giardia lamblia;
3. Human worm;
4. whipworm;
5. tapeworm.

Symptoms of parasites in children

Each organism is different. The disease characteristics are also different. In some cases, a cold will only be associated with a runny nose, and in others, the disease will hinder normal functioning. It is the same with the parasites in the body and the symptoms that their presence can give.

The fact that the child has worms may be a proof frequent infections, hyperactivity or lack of energy, abdominal pain or cries at night. Most often, however, depending on the type of parasite, there will be other, characteristic symptoms.

Pinworms in children

Pinworms are the most common parasites in children. It is estimated that every year pinworm, a disease transmitted by pinworms, is diagnosed in up to 40 percent. children aged 7 to 14 and 60 percent. children from 3 to 6 years of age.

The first symptom that parents should worry about is baby scratching in the buttocks area. The skin around the anus becomes red and itchy. The pinworm eggs in the anus are transferred to the hands and under the nails. If a child does not wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet, puts their fingers in their mouths, or starts eating with their hands, the parasite eggs are returned to the child’s digestive system and the infection becomes re-infected. The circle is closed.

Unfortunately, parents often attribute other causes to scratching their children. However, as it intensifies in the evenings and at night, the baby may sleep restless, wake up frequently and whine. A common accompanying symptom is grinding of the teeth, and in babies who no longer use diapers – bedwetting.

The presence of pinworms in the body your baby’s appearance may also be affected. The baby’s complexion turns pale, unhealthy, and the skin under the eyes turns blue. We can be sure that we are dealing with pinworms when we notice centimeter, white, moving threads in the child’s feces, around the anus or on the underwear. Untreated pinworms will lead to recurring urinary tract infections.

The only way to make a definitive diagnosis is to perform appropriate laboratory tests. For this, the pediatrician will order a stool test. For its implementation it is necessary collecting a stool sample. For this purpose, there are containers with a special spatula, which facilitates the process.

You can buy a mail order examination of the intestinal microflora and intestinal markers for the presence of parasites at Medonet Market.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, special drugs are used to get rid of the parasites. However, you should know that all household members should take them. In addition to taking medications, it is necessary to disinfect the entire home and wash bed linen and towels. During the treatment, it is worth changing underwear at least twice a day.

Giardia lamblia in children

Giardia lambia is the parasite that leads to the development of giardiasis, also known as giardiasis. The parasite belongs to the group of flagellates that live in the human small intestine. Infection with it occurs when eating contaminated food in which Giardia lamblia cysts are found. Infection can also occur by drinking unboiled water of unknown origin and in the case of frequent presence in large groups of people.

A very common source of infection with flagellates causing giardiasis are beavers. Therefore, especially for children, it is not recommended to bathe in rivers or rinse hands or face with water from the river. Unfortunately, another person can also be the source of the infection.

If it becomes infected, the parasite enters the digestive tract of its victim and begins to multiply there. The data is terrifying. It is estimated that the most vulnerable to parasite infection are children in the age range from 2 to 5 years, and according to the Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology of the Medical University of Poznań, infection with Giardia lamblia in infants can reach up to 80%.

Unfortunately, even in 90 percent. in cases, giardiasis will not have any visible side effects. In the remaining 10 percent. there are problems with the digestive system. These include: severe diarrhea, flatulence, loss of appetite, abdominal pain after a meal, fever, nausea and vomiting, as well as yellowing of the skin and malaise.

The way to diagnosis of giardiasis there is a stool test, sometimes blood culture with a smear is also performed. Treatment is conservative. The only things that can be done in a mild course of gagging are replenishing electrolytes and administering fluids. In the acute course of the disease, antibiotics such as tinidazole or metronidazole are administered.

If giardiasis is detected in one of the household members, it is crucial that other family members are also tested and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, treated.

Human Ascaris in children

Not washing your hands and inadequate hygiene can lead to the implantation of another parasite in the body – the human roundworm. This worm belongs to the group of nematodes, which when mature can reach a length of up to 50 cm. The parasite is most often infected through the digestive system. Unwashed hands that come into contact with the mouth and saliva after using the toilet are the most common source of infection.

Another is to eat foods – usually vegetables, fruits, or eggs that have not been cooked prior to consumption. This is why the most common infections are children who not only forget to wash their hands, but also often reach for unwashed fruit. Human roundworm eggs they can also be brought into our homes on shoe soles, pram wheels and outdoor play items. If we do not wash them immediately after returning home, we run the risk of parasite eggs getting onto the floor, from where they can easily get onto other items and into our child’s digestive system.

When the human roundworm settles in the body of our child, it begins to feed on the mucosa of the damaged intestinal wall in which it lives. As a result, the child develops insomnia or restless sleep, facial swelling, dry cough, watery eyes, as well as hyperactivity and hives on the skin.

It happens that human roundworm lives in a child’s body for up to a year without any symptoms. It’s scary, especially considering that a female roundworm can produce up to 200 each day. eggs.

Diagnosis of the presence of roundworm human requires stool and blood tests. Serological tests are often performed to detect antibodies to roundworm antigens. We talk about the cure of ascariasis, a disease caused by human roundworm, when the parasite is expelled from the child’s body. However, this does not mean the end of the treatment process. They should be repeated after 2-3 weeks as there is a high risk of re-infection and infection of the intestines.

Tapeworm in children

As the name suggests – a tapeworm is a parasite with a flattened shape. Interestingly, tapeworms do not have a digestive system, and yet they are able to cope perfectly, parasitizing in children’s intestines. What a child’s body cannot digest becomes their food. Although they do not have a digestive system, their reproductive system is very developed – it allows them to produce up to hundreds of thousands of eggs a day.

Do tapeworm infections occurs when a child does not care for proper body hygiene. Often, however, tapeworms enter human organisms through improperly processed or raw fish, beef or pork.

The most common tapeworm symptoms in children these include abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea and weight loss. The skin is also often pale, and because the tapeworm feeds on vitamin B12, the baby may develop anemia.

Diagnostics when a tapeworm is suspected consists in examining a stool sample. In order for treatment to proceed properly, it is essential not only to confirm that an infection has occurred, but also to identify the type of tapeworm that has entered the baby’s digestive system. Tapeworm treatment involves the use of pharmacotherapy – usually a single administration of the drug is enough, but in some cases the treatment may take up to several days.

Whipworm in children

Whipworm is the last parasite most commonly found in children. Some people do not develop symptoms at all, others develop persistent digestive ailments. In children, infection with whipworm is most often manifested by stunted growth, and in extreme cases also developmental delay.

Whipworm is a parasite that can reach 3-5 cm in length. Undiagnosed, it can live in the human body for up to several years. Its shape resembles a whip.

Do whipworm infections most often occurs after eating food contaminated with worm eggs. Flies contribute to this by transferring them from animal waste to human food. Whipworms feed on the blood of the human in whose body they live.

The symptoms of infection are most often lack of appetite, weight loss, insomnia, abdominal pain, dizziness and headaches, mucous diarrhea, neurotic states and anemia. To confirm the infection with the whipworm, a stool test is performed – parasites can be excreted with it for up to three months after infection.

Life without parasites – how to avoid them?

Although it is extremely difficult to keep children from becoming infected with parasites, it is worth the effort as a parent. Teaching your child proper hygiene will result in the absence of infections and infections. The most important rule is to teach your child to wash their hands after leaving the toilet, finishing play or returning home from kindergarten. The method of washing is also important – it should be carried out under warm, running water with the use of soap.

Let us react when the child puts his hands in his mouth. The same applies to toys, especially those that do not belong to our child. Let us take special care that the child does not touch foreign animals. The water we give the child should be from a reliable source – tested and filtered.

Preparing meals for a child should also be safe and hygienic. All vegetables and fruits must be thoroughly washed, and the meat is served heat-treated. We often disinfect sanitary facilities at home. We use chlorine-based products for this. We should also try to get rid of all insects from the house – flies, midges and other worms can be carriers of parasites.

If we have to use the public toilet, make sure that the child does not come into contact with any objects in it. It is also worth limiting the sugar and yeast in the child’s diet – they promote the development of parasites.

Remember that the best way to prevent parasites is regular testing. This applies to both the youngest household members and all family members. An investment in regular research is an investment in a healthier, safer life.