Cough with worms in children: causes and methods of treatment

One of the signs of the presence of worms in the body is a dry cough.This phenomenon is due to the active movement of worms in the body and most often cough occurs in young children.Parents tend to take a cough for the symptom of a cold and begin active treatment.Despite the fact that taking antitussive medicines does not cause any special harm to the child's organism, they do not solve the problem.Yes, under the influence of specific medications cough disappears, but helminthic invasion continues to actively progress in the body.

Table of contents:

Why does cough appear in worms?

Almost all parents know that the main symptoms of the presence of worms in the child's body are itching of the anus, restless sleep of the baby and sudden weight loss.Why does a cough develop in the worms?Everything is simple enough: the larvae of worms that are in the area of ​​the bronchi, block the air flow - this is the reason for the appearance of a cough.And, in the process of coughing out of the body is just an incredible number of larvae and eggs of worms.As the main disease develops, an inflammatory process is added to the dry cough, which is localized in the vascular tissues.

What parasites cause a cough in children

In general, there are several types of worms that can cause the appearance of a dry, intrusive cough in a child.And only a doctor with the help of laboratory research will determine the specific type of parasite, the degree of its prevalence in the body, which will help him choose effective treatment.

Lamblias and ascarids

Migrating worms include lamblia and ascarids.Adult worms of these species live in the intestines, but they quickly penetrate into the cardiovascular system and from here the parasites migrate to the respiratory system.

Worms, while in the body of the child, feed on useful substances that are in the blood.Further, active release into the internal organs of toxins, which leads to the development of inflammatory processes and allergic reaction.If parasites enter the lungs, then when coughing, some of the larvae go outside, the other part gets back into the intestine, where it begins to multiply.It often happens that a small part of the worm larvae remain in the respiratory system( these will be the strongest representatives of the worms), which leads to disturbances in the functioning of the lungs and their components.

Toxocara and pulmonary fluke

Flat worms are recognized as the most dangerous type of worms, as they lead to severe dysfunctions of the respiratory system.These parasites can attach to the lung tissue, which is the cause of the development of such serious diseases as toxocarosis and paragonimosis.These diseases are characterized by the destruction of the internal tissues of the respiratory system, its dysfunctionality, and the result is the progression of a complex / protracted inflammatory process.

Once the worms have entered the lungs of the child, a dry cough appears.If no therapeutic measures are taken during this period, then the progression of the inflammatory process begins, which will be characterized by the production of a large amount of mucus.The sputum will come out when coughing, it can contain small impregnations of blood - this factor, by the way, should alert the parents and become an excuse for contacting an infectious disease specialist.

Diseases caused by worms in a child

Children are much more likely than adults to undergo worm infestations.Therefore, when dry cough occurs against the background of general health, you should immediately use qualified medical care - this will avoid the development of complications.

Askaridoz

It is noted that in childhood, ascariasis is most often detected.Infection with ascarids can occur by contact with animals( street or domestic), ingestion into the mouth of the earth, eating no vegetables / fruits in the food.Doctors say that the spread of ascariasis between young children is associated with non-compliance with personal hygiene rules and a weak immune system.

If the intestine is affected by worms, then:

• all metabolic processes in the child's body are violated;
• significantly reduced immunity;
• toxic poisoning occurs;
• there is a depression of the nervous system;
• worm larvae move to the lungs;
• formed an inflammatory process.

With ascariasis there is not only a dry cough, but also the pallor of the skin, the cyanosis of the lips.If there is no treatment for helminthic invasion, the vessels will begin to be damaged, problems will arise in the work of the respiratory system.

Paragonimosis

So the disease is classified which is caused by penetration and development inside the lung parasite of the fluke.This worm has the property of sucking to the tissues of the lungs and actively producing infiltration.A fibrous membrane begins to form around all affected areas.

Infection of the sciatica occurs when it comes into contact with crabs and crabs.Most often, the worm first penetrates into the body of a domestic or street animal, which was bathed in a pond, then the transmission of worms to humans.

Note: if there is a worm flail in the body, then in children coughing attacks will necessarily be accompanied by the release of blood and pus.

Toksokaroz

Toxocaras in the dog are sure to cause worms in the child's lungs.Especially dangerous is the disease for children under the age of one year.The worm larvae are found in the lung tissue, which causes the development of a severe, aggressive allergic reaction.If the treatment is not available( meaning the treatment of helminthic invasion), the patient may soon develop bronchial asthma.

Additional symptoms of toxocarias include abnormalities in the work of the eyes, fever and pronounced wheezing.

What measures to take

The appearance of a dry cough in a child should be an occasion to visit a pediatrician.In addition to the standard examination of the child, be sure to ask for a referral for the testing of worms.The fact is that even the best symptomatic treatment for helminthic invasion will not give any result, you need to get rid of parasites to stop the progression of cough.

The treatment for each child should be selected by the physician on an individual basis.In this case, it is necessary to take into account the type of parasites detected, the age of the patient, the general state of health, in particular, the level of the immune system.It is compulsory for the doctor to take into account, in what condition is the liver of the child, what level of hemoglobin in the patient's blood, whether there is an allergic reaction to any irritant in the anamnesis, how much the intestinal microflora is disturbed.

Among the most frequently prescribed medications for helminthic invasions are Pirantel, Centel, Pragoxin and Vermox.But it should be borne in mind that some parasites may have resistance to drugs, so it is advisable to carry out treatment simultaneously by two means.

If treatment for helminthic invasion has been prescribed and performed correctly, the symptoms, including dry cough, will disappear on their own.

Cough - not always a sign of the development of colds.In many cases, this is the first symptom of helminthic damage to the body, so that only a complete examination of the child will guarantee complete recovery.

Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical reviewer, therapist of the highest qualification category