Each parent strives to ensure that his child is healthy and active. However, in the current environment, it is impossible to foresee all diseases. The most widespread of them are helminthiases.
Pinworm infection, as one of the types of helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is a group of infectious diseases that are caused by parasites, or helminths. These diseases were known in antiquity. At the moment, more than 400 species of parasites have been registered. Pinworms are considered one of the most widespread.
Pinworms and the diseases they cause
Pinworms are round white worms that do not exceed 10 mm in length. According to the morphology of the structure, the worm has a sharp end (female) or twisted to the inner radius (male). Around the mouth of the pinworm there is a small swelling called a vesicle. With it, the parasite attaches itself to the intestinal wall. The pinworm is a human parasite, therefore its life cycle is carried out only in the body of this host. The disease is contagious, so all family members should be treated.
Pinworm eggs have an oval shape and a colorless shell. One parasite can lay up to one and a half thousand eggs. Females lay them on the skin next to the anus. Full-fledged individuals appear within 4-6 hours. In addition, the worm secretes isovaleric acid, which provokes severe itching. Small children are most susceptible to pinworm infection, combing the itchy areas, thereby spreading the parasites.
Pinworms are released into the environment. Most often they can be found under nails and in house dust.
The disease that this parasite causes is called enterobiasis. Without the results of a test for worm eggs, the child may be denied attending a preschool and other educational institution.
Ways of spreading helminths
The main mode of transmission of pinworms is fecal-oral. As already mentioned, the female lays eggs near the anus, from where they can get on clothes, hands and bedding.
Very often it is children who are susceptible to enterobiasis, since they rarely wash their hands and constantly bite their nails. After such actions, there is a possibility of re-infection, or reinfection, of the child. The baby becomes a carrier of an infection that can be passed on to other children. That is why, the analysis for enterobiasis is mandatory in the workplace, in educational and preschool institutions. It may seem rather unusual, but common flies can be the source of the spread of the infection.
How to understand that a child has enterobiasis?
Enterobiasis can be calculated by the characteristic symptoms. Relevant signs of infection include:
- Constant itching in the anal area. It manifests itself most intensively at night and in the morning.
- Anxiety and poor sleep in young children.
- Since pinworms are of decent size, they can be seen with the naked eye on bedding and in feces.
- The child may experience urinary incontinence that is not associated with underlying medical conditions.
- Stool is most often slimy, green in color and odorless.
What diseases can enterobiasis be disguised as?
Enterobiasis can manifest itself with not always habitual symptoms. It can often be confused with a common allergy. Pinworms can cause allergic reactions such as allergic skin rashes, redness and swelling in certain areas of the body. When contacting a dermatologist, or an allergist, a specialist must examine the child for the presence of pinworms in the body, and only then carry out tests to identify allergens.
Unusual reactions that can mask enterobiasis can occur due to the release of numerous toxins by parasites. These compounds poison the body and cause body responses.
How is the disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of enterobiasis is made only on the basis of laboratory tests, since the characteristic symptoms do not always make themselves felt. The child may be weakened, he may have a poor appetite, but this does not exclude the presence of concomitant diseases.
Laboratory tests
Laboratory diagnostics includes two types of tests: scraping from the anus and a patient's blood test. The study of feces to determine the presence of pinworms is not used, since the eggs of parasites cannot be determined in this way.
Scraping for enterobiasis is taken either with a special adhesive tape or a cotton swab. The patient is asked to spread the buttocks. The scraping is taken from the outer surface of the skin, since the eggs of the parasites are localized there. The material is placed in a special test tube and sent to the laboratory. The result can be obtained in 1-2 days. However, primary scraping for enterobiasis may not always reveal the disease. In only 50% of all patients, the test is positive. Doctors recommend that the analysis be carried out within three days.
As for the blood test, it determines the presence of antibodies. These substances are released into the human body in the presence of an infection. For accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive analysis is recommended, which includes both scraping and analysis of biological fluid. If a child is diagnosed with enterobiasis, this indicates that not only the child, but all family members are subject to treatment.
How can pinworms affect the child's body?
Despite the opinion that infection with helminths does not pose a particular danger, it must be said that this is not always the case. If there is a cross-infection with parasites, there may be a disruption in the functional activity of all internal organs, especially in young children. Children are especially susceptible to infection, since the acidic environment of the stomach at this age is very low. In this regard, pinworm eggs do not die under the action of acid and are transferred to the intestines. There they develop to the state of adults.
Against the background of infection with helminths, the child may experience frequent headaches, he may not get enough sleep and complain of frequent urge to use the toilet. The kid becomes irritable and moody. Unreasonable abdominal pain may appear.
Treatment of pinworms and the price category of drugs
Treatment of enterobiasis begins with the detection of the disease. Once the diagnosis is made, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. At the moment, the most popular drugs for the treatment of enterobiasis are:
- "Dekaris",
- "Nemozol",
- "Vermox",
- "Vormin",
- Pirantel.
The line of medicines is designed for both adults and children. Children's forms of release are presented by suspensions for internal use. Some pills are also used for children. The price of drugs for the treatment of pinworms varies from 50 to 200 rubles per course of treatment.
Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment is carried out 3-4 weeks after the start of therapy. Repeated scraping for enterobiasis is given. The study is carried out within three days every other day. Subject to all the recommendations and rules of personal hygiene, recovery occurs in one month.
Prevention of enterobiasis
In order to prevent the appearance of pinworms, you must follow the following guidelines:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene: constant hand washing after the street, treatment with antiseptic solutions.
- Health education of the population.
- Compliance with the sanitary and anti-epidemiological regime in organizations.
- Annual survey of the population for enterobiasis.
