Prevention Of Worms In Adults And Children: How To Protect Yourself?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Prevention of worms in adults and children

According to statistics, the vast majority of adults have at least once become victims of helminthiasis. The number of patients and carriers of helminthic invasion reaches 95%. For their vital activity, parasites use almost all human organs: liver, all parts of the intestine, brain, blood, muscles, lungs, eyes. Pains of varying intensity, diarrhea, and headache become symptoms of intruders' stay. The result of helminthiasis is a violation of the work of organs, a lethal outcome is possible. Although the body produces antibodies after the invasion of helminths, this protection is not enough to destroy them. Therefore, it is important that the prevention of worms in adults and children is carried out regularly.

According to the World Health Organization, every year the number of Earth's inhabitants infected with worms increases by 1.2 billion people. WHO experts say that 9 out of 10 people become the main or intermediate host of parasites. This will happen regardless of the region of residence, financial wealth and social status.

A person can become infected with more than 250 types of helminths. Worms are divided into roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms (cestodes), and flukes (trematodes). An adult rarely enters the human body. The overwhelming majority of helminthiasis begins with the entry of eggs into the organs and tissues, the development of larvae. Adults of some species emerging from them can reach up to 15 m in length.

Content:

• Non-specific prevention of worms in adults and children
• Prevention of worms in children
• Prevention of worms in pregnant women
• Tablets for the prevention of worms: pros and cons
• Video about methods of prevention of worms

Non-specific prevention of worms in adults and children

In order to avoid infection with parasites, not to be diagnosed and exposed to drugs, it is important to carry out prophylaxis of worms in adults and children in advance.

Measures to prevent helminthiasis:

• Personal hygiene and thorough hand washing are very important. Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of children's hands to reduce the risk of infection through household contact.
• Salted and smoked fish, sushi can contain eggs of tapeworms, which are extremely dangerous to infest. Cestodes are destroyed only by high-quality heat treatment, so lovers of fish with beer should be careful.
• Lovers of steaks with blood and kebabs should take care of their health - undercooked meat may contain eggs of tapeworms and tapeworms.
• When visiting exotic countries, you need to thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits, drink only bottled water, and be critical of the traditional cuisine in these areas.
• You should not walk barefoot on damp ground and wet sand, as there is a high risk of nematode infestation.

Prevention of worms in children

This age category, like no other, is susceptible to parasite infestation. The desire to learn about the world, being in a children's team, playing in the sandbox and on the playground increase the possibility of a helminthic invasion in a child. The role of parents is important here, who must take care of the health of their children and carry out the prevention of worms.

Preventive measures:

• Constant attention should be paid to the cleanliness of your hands.
• Full wet cleaning is carried out in the children's room at least 2 times a week. In this case, toys must be carefully processed: soft - with a vacuum cleaner, plastic - washed in soapy water.
• It is necessary to strictly monitor that children of younger preschool age do not gnaw and lick toys, household items, do not pull sand into their mouths.
• Contact with street animals and pets can cause helminthiasis in a child. Pets should be regularly checked for parasites in a veterinary clinic, and treated promptly.
• It is forbidden to independently carry out prophylaxis with anthelmintic drugs in children under 2 years of age, such appointments should be made by a doctor.

Prevention of worms in pregnant women

Most drugs have a teratogenic effect, that is, they can cause deformities and various pathologies in an unborn child. Therefore, pregnant women should refrain from treatment with highly toxic drugs against helminths.

In order to prevent infection with parasites, it is necessary to carry out an examination for worm eggs in a timely manner, observe hygiene rules and carry out the prevention of worms. Ironing of bed linen is obligatory, drinking only boiled water. Natural remedies for parasites that won't harm anyone - onions, pumpkin seeds, garlic, red peppers. Children 3-4 years old can also use these measures for the prevention and treatment of helminthiasis.

Tablets for the prevention of worms: pros and cons

Medicines for the treatment of helminthiasis are highly toxic. Scientists-helminthologists and medical practitioners have diametrically opposed opinions regarding their use for the prevention of worms in adults and children. They consider this treatment to be something like "shooting sparrows with a cannon." Scientists propose to limit ourselves to non-specific prevention of worms. If applied regularly, the rest of the precautions may not be necessary.

When to take pills for the prevention of worms? Proponents of preventive treatment have compelling arguments for using drugs. In some cases, this tactic is justified, despite the fact that the laboratory tests are showing a negative result. For example, helminths in one family member oblige the rest to carry out preventive treatment of worms. A possible reason for taking anthelmintic drugs even with a negative test result: Nausea; Itching in the perianal region; Appetite changes. Indications for the prevention of worms in adults and children: Stay or work in a children's team; Frequent contact with animals; Regular contact with sand or earth (playing in playgrounds, doing agricultural work); Trips to the regions of the tropics and subtropics; Fishing or hunting hobby.

How to choose the best drug? Preparations for the destruction of helminths, depending on the spectrum of their action, are divided into specific and non-specific. The least toxic drugs are broadly targeted. In Pirantel, Decaris and Embonate pervinia, side effects are minimal. As a prophylaxis for worms in adults, Vermox can be used. For the treatment of helminthic invasion, you should consult a doctor who will take into account the contraindications and prescribe the optimal dosage.

Pirantel Among the drugs recommended for the prevention of helminthiasis, Pirantel is considered the most harmless. Its action does not extend beyond the intestines, it does not enter the circulatory system. The active ingredient Pirantela paralyzes the muscular system of the worms, which, together with feces, are excreted from the intestines. As a rule, Pirantel is recommended for the prevention of worms in children, but only as directed by a doctor. Minimal toxicity does not guarantee the absence of side effects - transient diarrhea, digestive disorders, nausea, and allergic urticaria may occur. The dosage for prophylaxis is 10 mg / kg of body weight. Contraindications - pregnancy, hepatic and renal failure.

Vermox: toxic but effective Vermox, or Mebendazole is effective against ascaris, pinworms, whipworm, is considered a broad-spectrum drug. The active substance of Vermox disrupts metabolic processes in the body of parasites, which leads to their death. Although the drug does not enter the circulatory system, it tends to accumulate in organs and tissues. Self-medication with Vermoxom leads to serious consequences, harm to health. Side effects of the drug - decreased immunity, allergic manifestations. Contraindications for use are children, pregnancy, somatic diseases.

Dekaris - stimulant of immunity Decaris, or Levamisole is effective against ascariasis and mixed helminthic invasions. The active substance of the parasite paralyzes the respiratory muscles of helminths. Respiratory disorders lead to their death. Decaris is often recommended for the treatment of debilitated patients, as it simultaneously acts as an immunomodulator. Side effects of the drug - insomnia, appetite disorders, increased excitability and irritability, muscle pain, inflammation of the oral mucosa. Taste and odor perception may be impaired. The prophylactic dose for adults is 150 mg, for children - 2.5 mg / kg of body weight. The medicine is used once at night. Contraindications - children under 3 years of age, are used with caution during pregnancy, correlating the possible risk and benefit.

Embonate pervinia A drug of narrowly targeted action, used only for the treatment of enterobiasis. Pervinium embonate blocks enzymes at the cellular level, after which the dead pinworms, along with feces, are removed from the digestive tract. A feature of the drug - its metabolites can change the color of feces to a bright red color. Side effects - allergic reactions to toxic decay products of dead helminths that have entered the circulatory system. Compliance with hygiene rules will significantly reduce the risk of infection with worms.

Video about methods of prevention of worms

The pediatrician of the highest category will tell you about the methods of prevention: Mikhailova Tatyana Mikhailovna:

Author of the article: Danilova Tatyana Vyacheslavovna | Infectionist

Education: in 2008 received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine (General Medicine)" at the Russian Research Medical University named after NI Pirogov. Immediately passed an internship and received a diploma of a therapist.