The pediatrician told about the symptoms of the presence of helminths in the body
Helminths are the most common among preschool and school-age children, Elena Aleksentseva, an Invitro-Voronezh pediatrician, told Izvestia on May 16. She listed the symptoms indicating their presence.
According to her, the key role in infection is played by non-compliance with basic hygiene rules in everyday life, in particular, the problem of dirty hands. Also, until the age of 4-5, the child's immune system is in the process of formation and development, which makes children more vulnerable to various infections, including worms, she added.
"Infection can occur almost anywhere: at home, especially if there are pets, in sandboxes on playgrounds, in organized children's groups," the doctor emphasized.
Another common way of transmission of worms is associated with the consumption of insufficiently processed foods, such as poorly fried meat, fruits or vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed. Most often, the presence of helminths is manifested by signs of general intoxication, the pediatrician emphasized.
"In a child, this can be expressed in the form of lethargy, irritability, fatigue, a tendency to frequent illnesses, and nighttime sleep disorders. From the gastrointestinal tract, there may be a decrease in appetite, complaints of nausea, abdominal pain, unstable or rapid stools. In addition, their presence may be manifested by allergic reactions on the skin, for example, the appearance of an atypical rash," said Aleksentseva.
The main diagnostic method, according to the expert, is the determination of antibodies to worms in the blood. There is also a PCR analysis of feces for their presence.
"If a patient has a skin rash, a differential diagnosis with allergic reactions must be performed: general immunoglobulin E is prescribed, as well as a study of the level of eosinophilic cationic protein. Instrumental diagnostic methods are also used. For example, if there is abdominal pain, ultrasound of the abdominal organs is performed. If the patient has a prolonged cough, X—rays may be performed, as some parasites can infect the lungs," the expert added.
In the event that helminths are found in a child, it is ideal to examine the rest of the family members for their presence, Aleksentseva noted. But, according to her, you should not prescribe treatment "just in case" to everyone without confirming the diagnosis: the prescribed drugs have a specific effect and possible side effects. But if there are pets in the house or children attend children's groups, as a preventive measure, the whole family should drink medicines for worms every six months, the expert concluded.
Earlier, on March 15, Vera Serezhina, an expert doctor at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia that fungi, helminths and protozoa that release toxins affect the deterioration of the complexion and the general condition of the skin.
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