Parasitic infections are not limited to people living in developing countries alone but can affect anyone from any part of the world. Children are more prone to these infestations as their immunity is still in the development stage. Infants, toddlers, and even young children are at risk especially if they spend time at a daycare. It is also common among school-going children due to close contact during play and other activities. The best way to prevent parasitic infections is through information. Read below to know more about it:

Types of Intestinal Parasites

There are two main categories of intestinal parasites. They are:

  • Helminths: These are multi-celled organisms and some of the common helminths are roundworms, tapeworms, and pinworms. When present in the human body they can multiply to large numbers causing various illnesses.
  • Protozoa: These are single-celled organisms and these too like helminths can multiply in the human body leading to many serious complications.

 

Cause of Intestinal Parasites

There are many reasons due to which a child can get parasitic infections. Some of them are:

  • Poor food and water hygiene
  • Travelling to places that are known to have parasitic infections
  • People with diseases like AIDS and HIV are more prone to infestations
  • A child has weak immunity
  • Coming in contact with an infected person
  • Swallowing contaminated water during swimming in pools, lakes, etc

 

Here’s why Parasites are Dangerous to Children

Parasitic infections are curable and do not cause death unless it leads to some serious complications. However, it can pose a significant threat to a child’s health if infested. Disease like Leishmaniasis and malaria which is caused by endoparasites are harmful as they disrupt the normal functioning of the body and sucks the nutrients and energy. That can not only cause physical damage but also stunt the mental development of a growing child. Some of the examples of such physical and mental damage caused are:

  • Helminths like tapeworm, roundworms, etc cause diarrhoea which leads to loss of nutrition to the body.
  • Parasites cause iron deficiency in kids due to the loss of blood in the gut.
  • Many types of helminths eat the tissues on which they live.
  • The immune system needs the energy to run, the parasites trigger the immunity creating more loss of energy. This energy deficiency can lead to stunted mental growth as most of the energy is spent on fighting infections and less on the child’s physical and mental development.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Parasitic Infections

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
  • Pain in the abdomen, gas, bloating, dysentery
  • Itching or rashes in the vulva or rectum
  • Stools with worms
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling tired

 

What to expect during a Doctor’s visit?

There are a few tests that will be conducted if the child is suspected of parasitic infections. Many people rely on Microbiome tests which can be conducted at home by sending stool samples to a laboratory. But, in the article, Are Gut Microbiome Tests Accurate Or Worth It? What To Do Instead, Microbe Formulas a microbiome gut test probably won’t tell you whether or not you have parasites in your intestines. Usually, professionals will conduct faecal testing and a ‘scotch tape test’. In rare cases, x-rays with barium are conducted.

 

How to Protect Children from Parasites?

Following basic food and water, hygiene is the foremost step in protecting the child from parasitic infections. Daycare facilities should be educated on the risk of infections and how to prevent it. Handwashing after the toilet and before serving food should be though so that the spread through contact is minimized. If the child is infested by parasites, it is necessary to know the signs and symptoms of it and seek medical help so that its spread is contained.

 

Different effective treatment for Children

The doctor will prescribe the best drug and dose that is effective to treat infections. There are many alternative treatments that can aid in getting rid of parasites with very little side effects. The best thing about these treatment options is that it can be taken along with medications and they are natural so it is safe as well as effective.

 

Papaya seeds: The Journal of Medicinal Food published a study in 2007 that said that 60 kids who had parasites in the gut got significantly better after 7 days of taking a mixture of papaya seeds and honey. A stool test conducted after 7 days revealed that the stools did not contain any parasites. That is because of the great antibacterial properties of papaya. Even raw papaya is found to be helpful. A tsp of raw papaya added to a glass of warm milk and honey should be consumed on an empty stomach every day. That can clear the gut of any worms in a week.

 

Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin is rich in amino acids, fatty acids and compounds like berberine, palatine, and cucurbitacin. As per the research conducted on these seeds, it shows that the anti-parasitic properties found in the seed extracts are what makes it useful to get rid of parasites by flushing it out of the body. To use it, mix roasted pumpkin seeds with an equal proportion of coconut milk and water. Drink this mixture every morning on an empty stomach for a week for best results.

 

Neem: This is a traditional remedy that has been used for many centuries. Neem has antiparasitic properties that can remove the parasites from the gut. Make a neem leaf paste and take half tsp of it with a glass of water. Consume this on an empty stomach every morning for a few days to get rid of it.

 

Wormwood: This herb has compounds called sesquiterpene lactones which are known to weaken the membranes of parasites. As per research, it is can be used to kill Heterobranchus Longifilis which is a type of helminth that can infest the gut.

 

Cloves: It has antiparasitic and antiseptic properties that can kill the worms and their eggs. Boil a few cloves in water for 5 minutes and strain it. Drink this concoction thrice daily for a week to get beneficial results.

 

Intestinal parasites in children or in adults if left untreated can lead to serious damage to health. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of these infections to get the right treatment.