What are the symptoms of pinworm infection. How is pinworm infection transmitted. Can pinworm infections cause serious complications. What are effective prevention methods for pinworm infections. How common are pinworm infections worldwide. Who is most at risk for pinworm infections. What treatments are available for pinworm infections.

Understanding Pinworm Infections: An Overview

Pinworm infection, also known as enterobiasis or oxyuriasis, is a common intestinal parasitic condition caused by the roundworm Enterobius vermicularis. These tiny white worms, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 millimeters) in length, primarily inhabit the human colon and rectum. Pinworm infections are particularly prevalent in school-age children and are considered the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most widespread globally.

The lifecycle of pinworms is intricate and directly related to human behavior. Female pinworms typically migrate to the anal area during the night to lay their eggs. This process often triggers the characteristic symptom of anal itching, especially nocturnal pruritus. While many infected individuals may not experience any symptoms, others may suffer from various discomforts associated with the presence of these parasites.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Pinworm Infection

Identifying a pinworm infection can be challenging, as many cases are asymptomatic. However, when symptoms do manifest, they can range from mild discomfort to significant distress. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Intense anal itching, particularly at night
• Restless sleep and insomnia
• Irritability and mood changes
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Occasional abdominal pain and nausea
• In some cases, vaginal itching in females

Are these symptoms always indicative of a pinworm infection? Not necessarily. Many of these symptoms can be associated with other conditions, which is why proper diagnosis by a healthcare professional is crucial. If you or your child experiences severe anal itching, especially at night, it’s advisable to consult a doctor for a proper evaluation.

Transmission and Spread of Pinworm Infections

Understanding how pinworm infections spread is key to prevention. The transmission of pinworms occurs through the ingestion or inhalation of pinworm eggs. These microscopic eggs can be transferred in several ways:

1. Direct contact with contaminated surfaces
2. Ingestion of contaminated food or drink
3. Touching the mouth with fingers that have come into contact with eggs
4. Inhaling airborne eggs in dust

The resilience of pinworm eggs contributes to their easy spread. They can survive on surfaces such as toys, bedding, or toilet seats for up to two to three weeks. This prolonged viability increases the risk of reinfection and transmission to others.

The Pinworm Lifecycle and Infection Process

How exactly do pinworms establish an infection in the human body? The process begins when pinworm eggs are ingested or inhaled. Once inside the body, these eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks. Female pinworms then migrate to the anal area, typically at night, to lay their eggs. This movement often causes the characteristic anal itching, prompting the infected person to scratch. The act of scratching transfers eggs to the fingers and under the nails, facilitating further spread.

Risk Factors for Pinworm Infections

While pinworm infections can affect anyone, certain factors increase the risk of contracting or spreading the infection:

• Age: Children between 5 to 10 years old are most susceptible
• Living conditions: Crowded environments like schools, daycare centers, or institutions increase transmission risk
• Personal hygiene: Poor hand washing habits can facilitate egg transfer
• Climate: Infections are more common in temperate regions
• Family members: Close contact with infected individuals increases risk

Why are young children more prone to pinworm infections? Their tendency to put fingers in their mouths, share toys, and have closer physical contact with peers increases their exposure to pinworm eggs. Additionally, their immune systems may not be as developed as adults’, making them more susceptible to infection.

Potential Complications of Pinworm Infections

In most cases, pinworm infections are more of a nuisance than a serious health threat. However, in rare instances, particularly with heavy infestations, complications can arise:

• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss due to loss of appetite
• Peritoneal cavity infection
• In females: Vaginitis or endometritis

Can pinworm infections lead to more severe health issues? While uncommon, severe cases of pinworm infection can potentially cause complications beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In females, pinworms can migrate from the anal area to the vagina and uterus, potentially causing inflammation of these organs. However, it’s important to note that such severe complications are rare and typically only occur in cases of heavy infestation or in individuals with compromised immune systems.

Effective Prevention Strategies for Pinworm Infections

Preventing pinworm infections involves a combination of good hygiene practices and environmental control. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Regular hand washing: Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating
2. Keep fingernails short and clean: This reduces the space for eggs to hide
3. Avoid nail-biting and finger-sucking: These habits can facilitate egg ingestion
4. Regular cleaning of living spaces: Vacuum carpets and wash bedding, pajamas, and underwear in hot water
5. Shower in the morning: This helps wash away any eggs laid during the night
6. Change underwear and bedding daily: This reduces the number of eggs in the environment
7. Avoid scratching the anal area: This prevents egg transfer to fingers

How effective are these prevention methods? When consistently applied, these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of pinworm infection and reinfection. However, it’s important to remember that in environments where pinworm is common, such as schools or daycare centers, complete prevention may be challenging. In these cases, regular screenings and prompt treatment of infections become crucial.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Pinworm Infections

Accurate diagnosis of pinworm infections is crucial for effective treatment. Healthcare providers may use several methods to confirm the presence of pinworms:

• Tape test: Applying adhesive tape to the anal area to collect eggs for microscopic examination
• Visual inspection: Sometimes adult worms can be seen around the anal area or in stool
• Stool sample analysis: Although less effective, as eggs are laid outside the body

Once diagnosed, treatment typically involves anti-parasitic medications. Common treatments include:

• Mebendazole
• Albendazole
• Pyrantel pamoate

These medications are usually given in two doses, two weeks apart, to ensure all worms are eliminated. In many cases, treating the entire household is recommended to prevent reinfection.

The Importance of Environmental Control in Treatment

Medication alone is often not sufficient to eradicate pinworm infections. Environmental control measures are crucial to prevent reinfection and spread to others. These measures include:

• Washing all bedding, clothing, and towels used by the infected person in hot water
• Thorough cleaning of living spaces, including vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture
• Disinfecting bathroom surfaces, including toilet seats and faucets
• Avoiding shaking out bedding and clothing to prevent spreading eggs in the air

How long should these measures be maintained? It’s generally recommended to continue these practices for at least two weeks after treatment to ensure all eggs have been eliminated from the environment.

The Global Impact of Pinworm Infections

Pinworm infections are a global health concern, affecting populations worldwide. While precise global prevalence is difficult to determine due to underreporting and asymptomatic cases, estimates suggest that pinworm infections affect hundreds of millions of people annually.

The prevalence of pinworm infections varies by region and population:

• In developed countries, prevalence ranges from 10% to 50% in children
• In some areas with poor sanitation, prevalence can reach up to 100% in certain populations
• Infections are more common in temperate regions than in tropical or subtropical areas

Why do pinworm infections persist globally despite available treatments? Several factors contribute to the ongoing prevalence of pinworm infections:

1. Easy transmission: The simple lifecycle and mode of transmission make it easy for pinworms to spread, especially in close communities
2. Asymptomatic cases: Many infected individuals show no symptoms, unknowingly spreading the infection
3. Reinfection: The persistence of eggs in the environment can lead to rapid reinfection if proper hygiene and cleaning measures are not maintained
4. Lack of awareness: In some regions, there may be limited understanding of pinworm infections and prevention methods
5. Socioeconomic factors: Poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare can contribute to higher infection rates in certain populations

The Economic Burden of Pinworm Infections

While often considered a minor health issue, pinworm infections can have significant economic implications:

• Healthcare costs: Diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care contribute to healthcare expenses
• Lost productivity: Parents may need to take time off work to care for infected children
• School absenteeism: Infected children may miss school days, impacting their education
• Costs of prevention: Expenses related to increased hygiene measures and environmental cleaning

How can the economic impact of pinworm infections be mitigated? Public health initiatives focusing on education, prevention, and accessible treatment can help reduce the overall burden of pinworm infections. Additionally, integrating pinworm prevention strategies into broader public health programs could lead to more cost-effective management of this common parasitic infection.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Pinworm Management

While pinworm infections have been a known health issue for centuries, research continues to advance our understanding and management of this parasitic condition. Some areas of ongoing research and potential future developments include:

• Improved diagnostic techniques: Developing more sensitive and convenient methods for detecting pinworm infections
• Novel treatment approaches: Investigating new anti-parasitic compounds or alternative treatment strategies
• Vaccine development: Exploring the possibility of a preventive vaccine against pinworm infections
• Environmental control: Researching more effective methods to eliminate pinworm eggs from the environment
• Population studies: Conducting large-scale epidemiological studies to better understand transmission patterns and risk factors

What potential breakthroughs could significantly impact pinworm management? Advancements in rapid, non-invasive diagnostic tools could lead to earlier detection and treatment, potentially reducing transmission rates. Additionally, the development of longer-acting anti-parasitic medications or innovative environmental control methods could revolutionize the approach to managing pinworm infections, especially in high-risk settings like schools and care facilities.

The Role of Public Health Education in Pinworm Control

Education plays a crucial role in controlling pinworm infections. Effective public health campaigns can:

1. Raise awareness about pinworm infections and their transmission
2. Promote good hygiene practices in communities
3. Reduce stigma associated with parasitic infections
4. Encourage early detection and treatment
5. Provide guidance on proper environmental cleaning and prevention strategies

How can public health education be improved to better address pinworm infections? Integrating pinworm education into school health programs, utilizing digital platforms for information dissemination, and tailoring education campaigns to specific at-risk populations could enhance the effectiveness of public health efforts. Additionally, involving healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders in these initiatives can help ensure that accurate and actionable information reaches those who need it most.

Psychological and Social Aspects of Pinworm Infections

The impact of pinworm infections extends beyond physical symptoms, often affecting psychological well-being and social interactions. Understanding these aspects is crucial for comprehensive management of the condition:

• Embarrassment and stigma: Infected individuals, especially children, may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their condition
• Anxiety: Persistent symptoms or fear of reinfection can lead to anxiety in patients and caregivers
• Sleep disturbances: Nighttime itching can disrupt sleep patterns, affecting overall well-being
• Social isolation: Fear of spreading the infection may lead to self-imposed social distancing
• Family stress: Managing infections within a household can create tension and stress among family members

How can healthcare providers address the psychological aspects of pinworm infections? A compassionate and educational approach is key. Providers should reassure patients about the common nature of the infection, provide clear information on treatment and prevention, and address any concerns about social stigma. In some cases, referral to mental health professionals may be beneficial for individuals experiencing significant anxiety or distress related to the infection.

The Impact on Child Development and Education

For children, who are most commonly affected by pinworm infections, the condition can have implications for their development and education:

1. Disrupted sleep: Nighttime itching can lead to poor sleep quality, affecting daytime alertness and learning ability
2. Reduced concentration: Discomfort and distraction caused by symptoms can impact focus in school
3. Absenteeism: Severe cases may result in missed school days
4. Social challenges: Children may face teasing or exclusion if their condition becomes known to peers
5. Developmental impacts: Chronic infections, if left untreated, could potentially affect a child’s growth and development

What strategies can educators and parents employ to support children with pinworm infections? Creating a supportive and understanding environment is crucial. Educators should be informed about the condition to handle situations sensitively. Parents can work with schools to ensure proper hygiene practices are in place and that their child’s needs are met without drawing undue attention to the condition. Encouraging open communication and providing emotional support can help children navigate the challenges associated with pinworm infections while minimizing impact on their educational experience.

Pinworm infection – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length.

Pinworm

An adult pinworm generally is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host’s anal area to lay their eggs.

While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. Most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, but some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.

Pinworm infection occurs most often in school-age children, and the tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread from child to child. Treatment involves oral drugs that kill the pinworms and thorough washing of pajamas, bedding and underwear. For best results, the entire family should be treated.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of pinworm infection may include:

• Itching of the anal or vaginal area
• Insomnia, irritability, teeth grinding and restlessness
• Occasional stomach pain and nausea

Pinworms often cause no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have severe anal itching, especially at night.

Causes

Accidentally swallowing or breathing in pinworm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The tiny (microscopic) eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks.

Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.

Pinworm eggs can survive for two to three weeks on surfaces.

Risk factors

Risk factors for pinworm infection include:

• Being young. Pinworm infections are most likely to occur in children ages 5 to 10. The tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or child care centers. Pinworm infections are uncommon in children younger than age 2.
• Living in crowded spaces. People who live in institutions are at higher risk of developing pinworm infections.

Complications

Typical pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals.

The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of a pinworm infection may include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss
• Infection of part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)

Prevention

Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include:

• Wash in the morning. Because pinworms lay their eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering may help avoid possible re-contamination in bath water.
• Change underwear and bedding daily. This helps remove eggs.
• Launder in hot water. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths and towels in hot water to help kill pinworm eggs. Dry on high heat.
• Don’t scratch. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect. Suggest that your child avoid biting his or her nails.
• Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before eating.

Pinworm infection – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States and one of the most common worldwide. Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length.

Pinworm

An adult pinworm generally is 1/4 to 1/2 inch (about 6 to 13 millimeters) in length. The most common symptom of infection is anal itching, particularly at night, as worms migrate to the host’s anal area to lay their eggs.

While the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. Most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, but some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.

Pinworm infection occurs most often in school-age children, and the tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread from child to child. Treatment involves oral drugs that kill the pinworms and thorough washing of pajamas, bedding and underwear. For best results, the entire family should be treated.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of pinworm infection may include:

• Itching of the anal or vaginal area
• Insomnia, irritability, teeth grinding and restlessness
• Occasional stomach pain and nausea

Pinworms often cause no symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have severe anal itching, especially at night.

Causes

Accidentally swallowing or breathing in pinworm eggs causes a pinworm infection. The tiny (microscopic) eggs can be carried to your mouth by contaminated food, drink or your fingers. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch in the intestines and mature into adult worms within a few weeks.

Female pinworms move to the anal area to lay their eggs, which often results in anal itching. When you scratch the itchy area, the eggs cling to your fingers and get under your fingernails. The eggs then get transferred to other surfaces, such as toys, bedding or toilet seats. The eggs can also be transferred from contaminated fingers to food, liquids, clothes or other people.

Pinworm eggs can survive for two to three weeks on surfaces.

Risk factors

Risk factors for pinworm infection include:

• Being young. Pinworm infections are most likely to occur in children ages 5 to 10. The tiny (microscopic) eggs are easily spread to family members, caregivers, or other children at school or child care centers. Pinworm infections are uncommon in children younger than age 2.
• Living in crowded spaces. People who live in institutions are at higher risk of developing pinworm infections.

Complications

Typical pinworm infections don’t cause serious problems. In rare circumstances, heavy infestations can cause infection of female genitals.

The parasite can travel from the anal area up the vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes and around the pelvic organs. This can cause problems such as inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) and inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus (endometritis).

Although rare, other complications of a pinworm infection may include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss
• Infection of part of the abdomen (peritoneal cavity)

Prevention

Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include:

• Wash in the morning. Because pinworms lay their eggs at night, washing the anal area in the morning can help reduce the number of pinworm eggs on your body. Showering may help avoid possible re-contamination in bath water.
• Change underwear and bedding daily. This helps remove eggs.
• Launder in hot water. Wash bedsheets, pajamas, underwear, washcloths and towels in hot water to help kill pinworm eggs. Dry on high heat.
• Don’t scratch. Avoid scratching the anal area. Trim your child’s fingernails so there’s less space for eggs to collect. Suggest that your child avoid biting his or her nails.
• Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of getting or spreading an infection, wash your hands well after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before eating.

Enterobiasis – pinworm invasion. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of enterobiosis

Author

Vanyukova Irina Alexandrovna

Leading physician

Pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, doctor of the highest category

Pediatrician

9 0002 Creation date: 2016. 03.29

Pinworms

Enterobiasis is a parasitic disease, one of the most common helminthiases. Enterobiasis is caused by pinworms. In Latin pinworms are called Enterobius vermicularis, hence the name of the disease.

Pinworms are small round worms of a grayish-white color. The length of male pinworms is up to 5 mm, females – up to 13 mm. The living environment of pinworms is the human intestine (caecum, lower small intestine, large intestine). Pinworm eggs enter the human body by the oral route (through the mouth). In the intestines, larvae emerge from the eggs, which turn into sexually mature individuals. This process takes 2 to 4 weeks. The fertilized female crawls out of the anus and lays eggs around it. Eggs require a temperature of 34-36 °C and high humidity for maturation. The skin folds in the perianal region ideally provide these conditions. The exit of female pinworms most often occurs at night, when the muscles of the anal sphincter are relaxed. After that, the life cycle of the pinworm is completed. Thus, pinworms live no longer than a month.

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Causes of enterobiasis

How pinworm infection occurs

Enterobiasis can only be contracted from a person who is a carrier of pinworms. Pinworms do not live in the body of animals, and enterobiasis cannot be infected from animals.

Self-infection is common. The female pinworm lays up to 13,000 eggs, sealing them with an acid that causes intense itching. A person wants to scratch, and when he does this, the eggs fall under the nails, on the fingers, and from them – on the bed and underwear, household items. During life in a team, the spread of enterobiasis is very likely. If someone in the family becomes infected with pinworms, after some time enterobiasis can affect all family members.

Enterobiasis is a predominantly childhood disease

Most often, enterobiasis is detected in children aged 4 to 9 years. This is
due to the fact that children at this age already take care of their own
hygiene, but have not yet fully mastered all the necessary skills.

Enterobiasis symptoms

The main symptom of enterobiasis is severe itching in the anus. Itching usually begins 12-14 days after infection, when the first female pinworms crawl out to lay eggs. Enterobiasis is characterized by itching (or intensification of itching) at night.

Intensive scratching can lead to dermatitis, the addition of a secondary infection.

At the same time, very often the child suffers from enterobiasis unnoticed by the parents. If there are no other symptoms besides itching, the child may scratch, not considering this a problem and not complaining about anything. Therefore, enterobiasis is often detected only during preventive examinations of children.

Other symptoms of enterobiasis:

Abdominal pain

If there are many parasites in the intestines, abdominal pain and flatulence may occur.

Stool disorder

The presence of pinworms in the intestine leads to disruption of its work, dysbacteriosis develops, stool disorder is observed (alternating diarrhea and constipation).

Allergic manifestations

Pinworms release toxins that poison the body and cause a response in the form of allergic manifestations. With enterobiasis (especially in children), headache, dizziness, increased fatigue, and decreased performance are possible. Children can become capricious, excitable; such children are difficult to put to sleep, their sleep is easily interrupted. In a dream, they can scream, cry, grind their teeth.

Disease of the genitourinary system in women

In women, pinworms, migrating, can leave the anus and enter the vagina. At the same time, intestinal microflora (in particular, E. coli) can be introduced into the genital tract, which can lead to the development of inflammation – colpitis, urethritis.

Diagnostic methods for enterobiasis

Diagnosis of enterobiasis is made on the basis of the results of laboratory tests. Analysis of feces for eggs of helminth pinworms, as a rule, does not detect. This is due to the fact that pinworm eggs do not enter the feces. To detect pinworm lesions, scraping from the folds of the skin around the anus (scraping for enterobiasis) is used.

Scraping for enterobiasis

Scraping for enterobiasis in a child can be done in the treatment room of any of the clinics of the Family Doctor. The procedure is carried out quickly and does not cause any discomfort in children.

Biological material is transferred to the Family Doctor’s own laboratory for microscopic examination.

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with the specialists of the Family Doctor network.

Enterobiasis treatments

Enterobiosis

Treatment of enterobiasis is carried out by pediatricians, and in adult patients – by gastroenterologists.

For the success of treatment, it is important that all family members are treated at the same time. Careful observance of personal hygiene is also necessary. When treating children, parents should pay special attention to the hygiene of the child.

Anthelmintic drugs

Anthelmintic drugs are used in the treatment of enterobiasis.

Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

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11/10/2022

Worms are worms that lead a parasitic way of life in the body of their host – a man. Age doesn’t matter. Both adults and children are equally susceptible to infection. The classification of helminthiases is very extensive, especially in countries with a hot climate.

There are 3 classes of parasitic worms:

• round (nematodes) – pinworms, roundworms;
• tape (cestodes) – pork tapeworm, bovine tapeworm, echinococcus;
• flatworms, flukes (trematodes).

The most common worms in children are pinworms that cause enterobiasis . These are helminths of small size, on average up to 1 cm, white-gray in color with a curved body. The place of localization of these parasites is the large intestine, but they can also penetrate into the lower sections of the small intestine. Reproduction of pinworms occurs on the skin near the anus. At night, female pinworms get out to debug eggs in the folds of the skin, often penetrating the labia in girls, which ends with infectious diseases of the genitals. In total, these helminths live for about 1-1.5 months. The process of self-infection in a child can lead to the fact that the malaise will continue for many years. Parasites can be detected with the naked eye in the stool.

Another type of worm most commonly found in children is Ascaris . Characteristic species, reaching a length of 15 cm, these nematodes settle in the lumen of the loops of the small intestine, advancing towards the moving food bolus. In the feces, roundworms are very rare. Females periodically release eggs, which can be found in the analysis of feces. But if they were not found during the study, this does not mean that the child is not infected. The life cycle of roundworm can last several years.

Causes

The child’s curiosity is realized by his fingers, the child, learning the world, actively touches everything that comes to his hand and immediately puts it into his mouth, testing for strength and taste. Thus, pinworm eggs safely enter the digestive tract of their future little host.

A child becomes infected with helminth eggs from the surface of unwashed fruits when drinking contaminated water. Very often, infection occurs when communicating with animals, or when playing in the ground, a sandbox, where cats and dogs like to solve their physiological problems. After a walk, children often do not wash their hands, and all the dirt, along with parasitic eggs, gets into their mouths.

Symptoms of worms

How can you tell if a child has worms? If the child was infected with a large number of eggs of parasitic worms, then after a few days a sharp deterioration in the condition may occur. In milder cases, the first symptoms of invasion appear after a few weeks or even months. Much depends on immunity. It can quite cope with parasites and restrain their development. But gradually the defenses are reduced, and the helminths infect the body, causing serious problems.

The first signs of worms are symptoms of poisoning (intoxication). The vital activity of worms is accompanied by the release of a large number of animal toxins that can poison the child’s body. In the intestines, parasitic worms use nutrients, as a result of which the baby gradually becomes deficient in proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins.

The child develops:

• emaciation,
• pale skin,
• weakness, frequent dizziness,
• rise in body temperature, headache,
• bad dream,
• tearfulness,
• depressed mood.

Manifested intestinal ailments – constipation, loose stools, rumbling and pain in the abdomen, bouts of nausea and vomiting, pain in different parts of the abdomen, bloating. The disease may be accompanied by allergic conditions: itching, rashes, cough, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Weakened immunity leads to the addition of infectious diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment of helminthiasis

Diagnosis of helminthiasis by feces is quite difficult. This is due to the fact that ascaris or pinworm eggs do not appear in the feces every day, and the technique of microscopy of smears from the analysis requires great care. To increase reliability, it is desirable to take a stool test for worm eggs for at least 3 days in a row.

In cases of increased risk of infection with worms (contact with animals, the child’s play on the ground or in open sandboxes, the child’s habit of taking things in his mouth, biting his nails or licking his fingers, etc. ), it is advisable to undergo an in-depth examination, which includes, in addition to a threefold analysis of feces special blood tests that detect antibodies to helminths.

In the presence of allergic manifestations of unknown origin, an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood test, persistent intestinal dysbacteriosis, it is advisable to donate blood for the determination of class E immunoglobulins (Ig E and G) to ascaris and other helminths. You can check for worms in pets.

Based on the totality of indirect signs and history, the physician may recommend antihelminthic therapy without direct evidence of the presence of worms in the child, if other pathologies that cause similar clinical manifestations are excluded.
If worms are found in a child or in one of the family members, it is necessary, if possible, to treat all family members in order to avoid the formation of a focus of infection of each other with helminth eggs. In this situation, in addition, it is necessary to strengthen hygiene measures, in particular, boil and iron bed and personal linen on both sides.