Parasites, having settled in the human body, try to reach vitamins and nutrients, while releasing toxins.Symptoms of parasitic infection are not always specific;They can be confused with manifestations of other diseases.
Common signs in this case: weakness, excessive fatigue, loss of appetite or increased appetite, intense hunger, muscle pain and digestive disorders.
Other manifestations of the presence of worms will be various allergic reactions in the form of rashes on the skin, itchy skin, eczema, decreased hemoglobin levels, immunity, increased incidence of viral and bacterial diseases, causeless anxiety, nervous system disorders and sleep disorders.When a child is sick, he or she may show the following symptoms:
- losing weight;
- delay in intellectual and physical development;
- headache attacks.
If you detect the above symptoms, you cannot treat yourself: this is very dangerous for your health and it is also possible that the disease is not related to worms.
intestinal disease
The cause of this disease is pinworms - small white worms.They are known as the most common helminth infections in many developed countries around the world.Very often, helminths are diagnosed in children of preschool and primary school age.
Pinworms live in the human large intestine.When the patient sleeps, 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 others.
Eggs can be stored on underwear, bed linens, clothes and toys for up to 14 days.If a person does not comply with the rules of personal hygiene, he can easily become infected with pinworms.
The main symptoms of intestinal worms are itching near the anus, which usually occurs in the evening and at night.When the infestation is weak, the patient may not notice its signs;with an increase in the number of parasites, the itching becomes so painful that the patient can scratch the skin until it bleeds, and the affected areas become painful and inflamed.
In young children, typical symptoms of intestinal worms will be:
- sleep disorders;
- cheerless;
- uncomfortable;
- bedwetting.
Without treatment, symptoms will get worse.
Ascariasis
Ascaris is a type of roundworm 15-40 cm long.Female parasites lay eggs in the intestinal lumen, from where they enter the environment and soil, and are excreted in feces.Infection is facilitated by eating contaminated fruits, vegetables and drinking water.This disease is more typical in children 5-10 years old.
From the moment of infection until the first symptoms appear, it usually takes about 2-3 weeks.Initially, ringworm occurs in the form of an allergic disease.
In preschool children, the acute phase will begin with an increase in body temperature to 37-37.5 degrees, a rash on the skin, indigestion, abdominal pain and nausea.
When parasitic infection becomes chronic:
- the child complains of periodic pain around the navel;
- his appetite decreases;
- Stools become unstable and sometimes constipation occurs.
Antiparasitic and symptomatic treatment is indicated.
Giardiasis
Giardia worms are protozoa;At the front of their body there is a suction disc that helps them stick to the intestinal epithelial wall.Parasites do not have mouths;it feeds on dissolved nutrients.The incubation period of the disease lasts from 7 to 20 days.
The parasitic infection begins acutely;a person has loose stools that have an unpleasant odor and traces of fat.Then pain in the abdominal cavity appears, belching appears, appetite decreases, sometimes vomiting and nausea may occur.
The first stage lasts up to 7 days;In many cases, all symptoms of invasion disappear spontaneously after 1-4 weeks.
When the penetration of a blastocyst 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.
Toxocariasis in dogs
Toxocara is a large monoecious helminth, up to 18 cm long.The average duration of their life cycle is 4 months and the maximum is six months.The main source of infection is dogs, usually puppies.A person will suffer from the following diseases:
- direct contact with sick animals;
- burrow into the mouth of soil containing parasite eggs.
Children are susceptible to infection when playing with dogs or in the sand, and adults from household contact with infectious animals (dog breeders, veterinarians, utility workers).Another common cause of toxocariasis is eating raw or poorly processed meat.
Such parasitic infections can develop suddenly or after a temporary illness.Signs of invasion in this case: increased body temperature, itchy skin, significant lymphadenopathy.
Mild fever with persistent aggression may last several months.If the disease stage is acute, the patient will experience symptoms of bronchitis, pneumonia and severe asthma attacks.
Signs of infection in sick children: body weakness, fatigue, sleep disorders and unusually excessive stress.If not treated fully and promptly, toxocariasis in dogs and cats will cause severe and dangerous complications:
- hepatitis;
- retinal damage;
- pathology of the nervous system;
- allergic reaction.
When treatment is performed correctly, the prognosis is always favorable.
Prevention methods
The main ways to prevent parasitic infections would be:
- carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- drink only boiled water, wash vegetables and fruits;
- Eat fresh meat, fried enough.
It is equally important to teach children not to eat food on the floor, not to put dirty things in their mouths, and to deworm pets in time.Doctors also recommend not letting children play in open sandboxes because such places are often used as toilets for cats and dogs.
You should know that there are some medicinal plants that help increase the body's resistance to helminth infections, neutralize toxins, and eliminate signs of the disease.These plants include black walnuts, wormwood, grapefruit, pumpkin seeds and cloves.This treatment is for everyone, it has a beneficial effect on overall health and does not cause adverse reactions in the body.