Does your child complain of frequent stomach aches, or does your child feel restless or itchy in the night? These symptoms are usually due to intestinal infection caused by worm infestations. Worm infection is a significant threat to kids, especially school-going children who spend the majority of their time outdoors. These types of infections are caused by parasites that enter your children’s body from contaminated water, soil and unhygienic practices. Parents must be aware of the symptoms and treatments, as it helps in detecting the infection early and receiving timely treatment. If left untreated, worm infections are likely to affect the growth, nutrition and immunity of your child. Continue reading to learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures of worm infection.
What are Worm Infections?
Worm infections, also called helminthiasis, are common among children. It usually occurs when worms or parasites enter the body and live in the intestines, leading to stomach pain, fatigue, anal itching, and weight loss. It may also lead to nutritional depletion, malnutrition, and anaemia as the worms feed on nutrients and blood of your child.
Types of Worm Infections in Children
Worm infections in children are usually categorised based on the type of worm or parasite causing the infection. Common types of worm infection are pinworms or threadworms, roundworms or ascaris, hookworms, tapeworms and whipworms.
Causes of Worm Infection in Children
Children usually suffer from worm infections when they ingest eggs or larvae of worms or parasites present in contaminated surface, food or water. The common causes are listed below.
● It usually spreads through poor hygienic practices in kids, including avoiding washing hands before meals, biting nails and eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.
● Inhaling eggs present in the air, close contact with an infected pet can also lead to worm infection in children.
● Touching highly contaminated surfaces in daycare, school, parks, etc., is also a major cause of worm infection.
● Walking barefoot can also cause the worm enter the body through the skin.
Signs and Symptoms of Worm Infection in Children
You may notice both physical and behavioural symptoms in children when they suffer from worm infections. The common worm infestation signs and symptoms are
● Loss of appetite
● Stomach ache
● Bloating, nausea, vomiting and other abdominal discomforts
● Dizziness and fatigue
● Night-time itching
● Irritability and feeling restless
● Teeth grinding
● Bed wetting
You can also notice some visible signs like tiny worms in stools, pinworms around the anus, and skin rashes. If you notice poor appetite, unusual hunger, stunted growth, malnutrition and anaemia in kids, it can be severe or long-term worm infection signs.
When to Consult a Doctor?
In case of a worm infestation, it is important that appropriate medical intervention is provided on time. Otherwise, ignoring the symptoms can cause serious health problems for the affected person. If the child suffers from visible worms in stool or bedding or the area around the anus, visible blood in stool, itching sensation along with abdominal ache, or stomach issues, they require urgent medical assistance.
Diagnosing Worm Infections in Children
The doctors prescribe tests depending on the symptoms. The common diagnostic tests for worm infection are-
● Pinworm tape test: This is a home-based diagnostic test usually recommended in case of anal itching or persistent abdominal pain in kids. A clear tape is pressed around the anal skin in the morning and provided for microscopic examination.
● Torch-light check: Parents can check the anal area 2-3 hours after their kids fall asleep to spot worms.
● Stool examination: This is a common diagnostic test for worm infection in children, where the stool sample is examined for eggs and larvae of worms or parasites.
● Blood test: This test is usually recommended to check for signs of anaemia and eosinophil count.
● Imaging tests: You may need advanced imaging tests like ultrasound, x-ray, and MRI in case of severe worm infection.
Treating Worm Infections
Medical treatment for worm infections is usually effective, and worm treatment medications are usually short-term. Doctors may prescribe medications based on the type of worm infection, namely albendazole for treating infections due to roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. Pyrantel Pamoate is prescribed for young children to treat pinworm infection. As worm infections are usually contagious, it is highly recommended for the entire family to undergo medical treatment. Parents are advised to maintain proper hygiene for kids and wash bedding and clothes to avoid recurrent infection.
Providing food rich in nutrients and vitamins can help recover from worm infections. Include food containing iron and protein, as it helps in improving immunity and preventing recurrent infection.
Preventing Worm Infections
Parents play a crucial role in preventing worm infections in children. They must insist that their kids wash their hands after playing outdoors and before meals. Always check if your kids wear footwear outdoors. Ensure you provide safe drinking water, washed fruits and vegetables to your kids. Let your child's nails be trimmed on time to prevent nail-biting. Deworming tablets should be given frequently to avoid worm infection.
Conclusion
Overlooking the usual symptoms associated with infections by worms, such as abdominal pain and itching, can result in serious problems. The infection caused by worms, if left unattended in children, can result in problems regarding their growth, anaemia, and malnutrition. Advising kids to maintain cleanliness can prevent the infection.