Characteristics of Children with Worms Based on the Type of Worms
Worms is one of the health problems that children often face. If left for too long, the worms in the body can inhibit the growth and development of children. The reason is, the worms in the body will absorb the juices of the child’s food that are in the blood cells and intestines. Parents need to know the signs or characteristics of worms in children, along with a full explanation.
Why are children prone to worms?
Quoting from About Kids Health, the cause of intestinal worms in children is a parasite that lives in the intestines.
These parasites in the intestines are usually in the form of protozoa or pinworms and tapes that enter the body and use the intestines as a place to live.
Worms in children are very common worldwide with the same characteristics.
This infectious disease in children is transmitted in crowded places, poor sanitation, and poor water quality.
The types of parasites most often experienced by children are pinworms and tapeworms.
What are the characteristics of children having worms?
The characteristics of worms in your little one can be seen based on the type. There are various types of worms in children that need to be watched out for. The following is the full explanation.
1. Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis)
Quoting from Kids Health, this one intestinal worm is an intestinal infection in children caused by small parasitic worms that do not have visible characteristics.
This is a very common type of infection in children, especially at school age.
The process of transmission of these parasites from pinworms that enter the body when a child swallows or inhales very small pinworms.
After being satisfied playing, usually without washing their hands the children immediately took their food.
This makes the worm eggs stick to the fingers and enter the mouth.
Then the eggs hatch in the small intestine and enter the large intestine. In the large intestine the pinworms stick and will take food.
Then when an adult female pinworms will go to the anus to release eggs.
However, the characteristics and appearance of pinworms are very small, so children can easily get worms.
So, this is the reason why many children who get pinworms experience itching around the anus.
The characteristics of a child affected by worms caused by pinworms
The following are signs that a child is infected with pinworms:
- Persistent itching around the anus
- Difficulty sleeping because you feel itching around the anus
- Around the anus feels pain and irritation occurs
- There are pinworms in the stool
You can see worms in the anal area after the child has slept for 2-3 hours. Most likely, you may also see worms in the toilet after your little one has finished the bathroom.
The characteristics of pinworms that cause intestinal worms in children are that they look like small pieces of white thread.
You can also see it on the surface of your little one’s underwear in the morning.
2. Roundworms (Ascariasis lumbricoides)
The next type of worms is ascariasis lumbricoides, a condition caused by a roundworm infection.
This type of worm is usually spread through food and drink that was previously contaminated. However, there are no specific symptoms caused by this worm.
Ascariasis is a worm that often resides in less clean environments and lives in areas with warm temperatures.
Unlike the pinworms which are small, adult roundworms that breed in the intestines have the characteristics of a long body, exceeding 30 cm.
You only know after seeing worms that come out along with feces. The way of life for roundworms in the small intestine is by means of parasites.
Roundworms can also get into the lungs and cause the child to cough.
The characteristics of a child having worms due to roundworms
There are several signs that your little one is infected with tapeworms, namely:
- Cough
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and sometimes even vomiting
- Weight loss
- Worms appear in the stool
- Sluggish
- Fever
If not treated promptly, worms can cause serious health problems, such as anemia and malnourished children.
3. Hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale)
Hookworms have the characteristic of being attached to the intestines with their mouths and will suck blood, so that children develop intestinal worms.
Then, these worms enter through the skin of the feet and will infect parts of the body, such as the lungs and heart, through the bloodstream.
Not infrequently, these worms cause anemia in children, which results in decreased immune system and affects children’s intelligence.
This worm contamination also causes the child to become difficult to eat, which leads to malnutrition because all the nutrients will be absorbed by the worm.
The characteristics of a child having worms caused by hookworms
To be clear, this is a sign that your child is infected with hookworms:
- Intermittent abdominal pain that can make the baby very fussy
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fever
- Anemia (the child looks pale)
- No appetite
- Itching of the area where the larvae got into the skin
- Blood is found in the baby’s stool if his intestine is infected with worms
Not all children who have worms have the above signs or characteristics, especially if their little one’s condition is mild.
However, if the infection is severe enough, the child’s stomach will feel itchy and tingly like being stabbed, 30 minutes after being contaminated by hookworms.
4. Tapeworm infection (Taenia sp.)
Generally, that kid infected with tapeworms do not feel any symptoms because the symptoms are difficult to detect.
However, for children who suffer from intestinal infections due to tapeworms, the head of the tapeworm will stick to the intestinal wall.
While the body parts will continue to get longer and produce eggs in the intestine.
Children are at risk of ingesting these worms if they eat undercooked beef or pork.
The characteristics of children with worms due to tapeworms
The following are signs that a child is infected with tapeworms:
- Nausea
- Stomach ache
- Looks weak and limp
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- If the symptoms of a tapeworm infection have spread to any part of the body, it is likely to cause organ and tissue damage
Some children who have worms due to tapeworms have signs of irritation in the perianal area or the area around the anus.
The irritation is caused by worm eggs that are excreted in the feces.
How do you prevent intestinal worms in children?
After knowing the characteristics of worms in children, here are some ways you can do to prevent your little one from experiencing worms:
- Get used to washing hands before and after doing activities.
- Make sure the children change their underwear every day.
- Wash sheets, blankets, and your little one’s doll regularly at least once a week.
- Encourage children to play in dry areas and not play in muddy puddles.
- Make sure the vegetables and meat are thoroughly cooked before serving them.
- Teach children to maintain clean nails andcleanliness of the genital area.
- Always keep the house, environment, and even your little one’s toys clean.
If your little one brings up any of the symptoms or signs mentioned above, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor so that your child gets the right action immediately.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
