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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, the worms consume blood and nutrients, thus greatly impacting the physical development of your child. With the consumption of nutrients and blood by these worms, they transmit the impact of malnutrition, decreased nutrient absorption, stunted growth, and anaemia. It further impacts mental health by hindering cognitive development and performance in schools
The kids get infected with worms when they play with soil containing eggs or larvae of pinworms/roundworms or whipworms, when they eat vegetables/foods without washing properly, or when they consume contaminated water. Also, if your child is in direct contact with pinworms through contaminated surfaces can lead to worm infections.
You can prevent your child from getting worms by practising good hygiene, which includes washing hands, taking care of the nails, regular bathing, washing fruits and vegetables, and stopping habits in kids that include nail biting and thumb-sucking, and giving safe drinking water.
Stool examination, finger nail scrap test, and pinworm tape test are common diagnostic methods for detecting worm infection in children. In severe cases, you may need blood tests and imaging tests, including X-ray, ultrasounds and CT-scans for diagnosing the severity of the infection.
Best Gynecologists in Bellandur Best Gynecologists in Electronic City Best Gynecologists in HRBR LayoutBest Gynecologists in Jayanagar Best Gynecologists in Kanakapura RoadBest Gynecologists in Malleswaram Best Gynecologists in Nagarbhavi Best Gynecologists in Old Airport RoadBest Gynecologists in Sahakarnagar Best Gynecologists in Sarjapur RoadBest Gynecologists in ThanisandraBest Gynecologists in Varthur RoadBest Gynecologists in Whitefield Best Gynecologists in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Gynecologists in OMRBest Gynecologists in T NagarBest Gynecologists in New Industrial TownBest Gynecologists in IndirapuramBest Gynecologists in Golf Course RoadBest Gynecologists in Sector 14Best Gynecologists in Sector 47Best Gynecologists in Banjara HillsBest Gynecologists in GachibowliBest Gynecologists in Hitech CityBest Gynecologists in KompallyBest Gynecologists in Gomti NagarBest Gynecologists in MaladBest Gynecologists in NerulBest Gynecologists in VashiBest Gynecologists in Kailash ColonyBest Gynecologists in PatparganjBest Gynecologists in Punjabi BaghBest Gynecologists in VikaspuriBest Gynecologists in Gaur CityBest Gynecologists in Pari ChowkBest Gynecologists in Sector 51Best Gynecologists in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Gynecologists in Kalyani NagarBest Gynecologists in SB RoadBest Gynecologists in Pimple SaudagarBest Pediatricians in BellandurBest Pediatricians in Electronic CityBest Pediatricians in HRBR LayoutBest Pediatricians in JayanagarBest Pediatricians in Kanakapura RoadBest Pediatricians in MalleswaramBest Pediatricians in NagarbhaviBest Pediatricians in Old Airport RoadBest Pediatricians in SahakarnagarBest Pediatricians in Sarjapur RoadBest Pediatricians in ThanisandraBest Pediatricians in Varthur RoadBest Pediatricians in WhitefieldBest Pediatricians in Industrial Area Phase IIBest Pediatricians in OMRBest Pediatricians in T NagarBest Pediatricians in New Industrial TownshipBest Pediatricians in IndirapuramBest Pediatricians in Golf Course RoadBest Pediatricians in Sector 14Best Pediatricians in Sector 47Best Pediatricians in Hitech CityBest Pediatricians in Banjara HillsBest Pediatricians in GachibowliBest Pediatricians in KompallyBest Pediatricians in Gomti NagarBest Pediatricians in MaladBest Pediatricians in NerulBest Pediatricians in VashiBest Pediatricians in Kailash ColonyBest Pediatricians in PatparganjBest Pediatricians in Punjabi BaghBest Pediatricians in VikaspuriBest Pediatricians in Gaur CityBest Pediatricians in Pari ChowkBest Pediatricians in Sector 51Best Pediatricians in Sector 5 Swastik ViharBest Pediatricians in Kalyani NagarBest Pediatricians in SB RoadBest Pediatricians in Pimple Saudagar
