Giardia, how to treat in children: detailed information

Giardiasis is a parasitic infection, the source of infection is the simplest unicellular parasite - lamblia. There are two stages of development: immobile cyst and vegetation (mobile state). The habitat of mobile lamblia in the baby's body is the small intestine, its upper sections. Due to the pear-shaped shape and the presence of four pairs of flagella, the parasites are quite mobile, with a suction disc they are fixed on the intestinal walls.

Giardia are able to remain viable in the external environment for 3 months. They are not afraid of the scorching rays of the sun and icy water. The main habitat of parasites is sewage, but they reproduce well in polluted water bodies, they live in dirty children's sandboxes. As a rule, a child becomes infected while playing in such courtyard sandboxes.

Already in the body, the immobile form of lamblia (cyst) leaves its shell and begins the process of reproduction. The increase in parasites occurs almost instantly, every 10 hours, lamblia increases by one million per square centimeter of intestines.

Ways of infection with lamblia cysts

1. Contact-household - in direct contact with an infected child by using the same dishes, shared toys, towels, etc. The risk of infection increases if the child bites nails, pens and generally has a habit of dragging everything into his mouth.
   

   Contact and household route of infection

2. Water - the ingress of lamblia cysts into the child's body occurs through the use of unboiled tap water infected with parasites. Infection can occur when swimming in open water, if the child accidentally swallows water. You should know that Giardia cysts do not live in sea water, their habitat is only fresh water.
   

   Waterborne infection

3. Food - if you allow the child to eat unwashed fruits and vegetables or meat that has not been sufficiently heat-treated, with such a diet, you should be prepared for the appearance of lamblia.
   

   Unwashed foods are the cause of giardiasis

In addition, pets with free access to the street and flies that carry cysts can be sources of the disease. Therefore, the hygiene of the child is extremely important as the main prevention of giardiasis.

Giardiasis - dangerous consequences

Active reproduction of lamblia in a child's body is fraught with a shortage of the required amount of amino acids and a number vitamins, minerals and nutrients, their deficiency leads to health problems and worsens overall well-being child. Disruption of the absorption and assimilation of beneficial nutrients leads to the development of persistent vitamin deficiency and a delay in the development and growth of the child. The vital processes of lamblia are accompanied by the release of toxic substances into the bloodstream, negatively affecting the protective functions of the immune system, which provokes the appearance of acute allergic reactions.

Giardia infection leads to the development of atopic dermatitis, serious diseases of the respiratory system, including frequent colds.

There are malfunctions in the gastrointestinal tract and vegetation. Intoxication provokes neurological symptoms: trembling limbs, various tics, teeth grinding during sleep and swollen lymph nodes. Children complain of increased fatigue, weakness, mood swings. There is a deterioration in the emotional background of the mood. All of these conditions are grounds for immediate seeking qualified medical help.

The acute form of giardiasis - features

The simultaneous ingress of many cysts into the body of a small child provokes rapid development and an acute form the course of the disease, which is characterized by a sharp decrease in appetite up to a complete refusal to eat, nausea, and less often vomiting.

Also, the child has an increase in temperature up to high numbers of 39оС. On the skin, there is a rash that looks like rubella. From the gastrointestinal tract - bloating. This intensity of the disease is typical for very young children under the age of 3 years due to the insufficient formation of the immune system.

Correct and timely therapy of giardiasis in the acute stage is not often carried out, since it is rarely correctly diagnosed. Basically, babies are treated for intestinal infections, which leads to the transition of infection to a chronic form.

Symptomatic manifestations

The course of giardiasis is acute and chronic. Asymptomatic forms of the disease or blurred nonspecific symptoms are often diagnosed. In children, in most cases, an acute form of the lesion is observed, which has the following atypical manifestations:

• subfibril temperature (37.2–37.5 ° C) for a long period of time;
• attacks of nausea, often diarrhea with characteristic loose and frothy stools up to 8-10 times throughout the day;
  

  Vomiting and fever in a child

• bloating;
• soreness in the abdomen that does not have certain boundaries, with palpation, the pain sensations increase;
• a decrease in the background of mood, unmotivated tearfulness, the appearance of a feeling of anxiety;
• problems with falling asleep, in a dream there is a strong grinding of teeth;
  

  Trouble falling asleep

• from the side of the lymph nodes, an increase is diagnosed.

Due to the fact that the symptoms of giardiasis have a similar picture with dysbacterial disorder and other pathologies of the digestive path, pediatricians do not always manage to correctly diagnose the disease, prescribe appropriate studies and competent treatment. Giardia do not have clear symptoms and therefore they are mistaken for various diseases, referring the child to an allergist, neurologist and dermatologist for treatment. A parasitic infection develops without proper therapy and becomes chronic after a few months.

Chronic giardiasis - symptoms and prognosis

The chronic picture of the chronic form of giardiasis lesion is even more blurred. Against the background of prolonged intoxication, the child develops a persistent vitamin deficiency, some systems and organs are damaged, which in itself is a signal for the beginning of immediate symptomatic therapy.

The chronic form of the disease is characterized by the manifestation of the following symptoms:

• dryness and peeling of the skin;
• the presence of dark circles under the eyes;
• unhealthy pallor is characteristic of the skin;
• the presence of allergic diseases;
• unstable stools, frequent diarrhea;
• frequent pain in the epigastric region;
• nausea periodically appears;
• complaints of lack of appetite;
• problems with the biliary tract with painful sensations in the right hypochondrium;
• the tongue is overlaid and the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity;
• increased sweating;
• trouble falling asleep, sleep disturbances;
• mood swings, up to emotional instability.

Timely diagnosis of the disease will allow the initiation of timely antiparasitic therapy, which almost always ensures a favorable outcome.

Diagnostic methods

With an advanced form of giardiasis, it is quite difficult to quickly and effectively treat, it is much easier to treat any disease, including giardiasis, in the initial stage. It is best to treat an acute form of parasitic infection. In order to confirm the diagnosis of giardiasis, it is recommended to undergo a series of studies.

1. Stool analysis for scatology allows you to identify the presence of cysts. This study is not always completely reliable, since cysts are not always present in feces. For reliability, it is recommended to carry out the analysis for scatology several times with a break of one week.
   

   Stool analysis for scatology

2. Serological blood tests it is advisable to carry out at the initial stage of the disease (the first 4 weeks after infection), when antibodies to lamblia can be detected. In the chronic form, this diagnostic method will not show antibodies in the blood.
   

   Serological blood tests

3. Duodenal intubation to detect the presence of lamblia cysts, young children are practically not carried out due to the complexity of the procedure.
   

   Duodenal intubation

A confirmed diagnosis is the basis for starting antiparasitic treatment, which, depending on the severity of the disease, can take a long time. This disease is considered intractable, despite the correctly prescribed and carried out therapy in children, there is a high risk of a recurrence of the parasitic attack.

Treatment

Therapy for lambliasis decomposition includes three stages.

1. The purpose of the preparatory stage is to reduce the level of general intoxication, the child is assigned choleretic, enzyme preparations and enterosorbents. The action of these medications helps to normalize the digestive processes, eliminate stagnation in the biliary tract and reduce the inflammatory process. In parallel with this, the doctor prescribes antispasmodics and immunostimulants. It is also important to adhere to the recommended diet for this stage of treatment.
   

   Enterosorbent

2. The main stage - includes itself antiparasitic therapy. Based on the characteristics of the course of the disease and the somatic state of the child, the most effective drug is selected. The doctor individually prescribes the optimal dosage of drugs and the regimen, as well as the duration of specific therapy.
   

   Antiparasitic therapy

3. The recovery stage is necessary to strengthen the body, weakened by parasites and eliminate the violations that have arisen in its work. During this period are shown drugs that improve peristalsis, improve digestion and eliminate the effects of dysbiosis. Compliance with a diet according to the doctor's prescribed daily regimen is an essential component of successful treatment.
   

   Digestion Improvement Drugs

Drugs for the treatment of giardiasis

Drug name	Number of receptions per day	Dosage	Duration of treatment	Features of reception
"Metronidazole"	3 times	0,4 mg	5 days	from 2 years old, take with meals
"Tinidazole"	single dose	50-75 mg per kilogram of mass	7 days	12 years old, preferably for the first course of treatment
"Ornidazole" ("Dazolik")	single dose	1.5 g – 3 tablets, up to 35 kg at the rate of 40 mg per kilogram of weight	5-7 days	at night, preferably for the first course of treatment
"Macmiror" ("Nifuratel")	2 times	0.015 g per 1 kilogram of mass; maximum dosage - 0.4 g per day	7-10 days	older than 2 months; take after meals
"Nemozole" ("Albendazole")	single dose	0.015 g per 1 kilogram of mass	5 days	let's say from 2 years old, preferably from 6 years old
"Flamin"	3 times	0.5 tablets	10 days	1 hour before meals
"Intetrix"	3 times	up to 1 year - 0.5 capsules, after 1 year 1 capsule	10 days	take after meals
"Furazolidone"	4 times	0.01 g per 1 kilogram of mass	7 days	take after meals

For anthelmintic therapy, the course is repeated 7-10 days after the end of the first course of treatment.

Important. The fifth day of antiparasitic treatment is characterized by a deterioration in the child's condition. This should not be scared, since this is a natural course of therapy, in view of the fact that when lamblia dies under the influence of medications, toxic substances are released. They, getting into the bloodstream, lead to intoxication. To minimize the effects of intoxication, small doses of antihistamines and laxatives will allow. Accelerated removal of decay products will make the child feel better.

Power features

Diet of the preparatory stage

During the preparatory stage, it is necessary to completely abandon the use of simple carbohydrates, these are any flour and confectionery products, various sweets, as well as whole milk. It is best to give preference to gray cereals such as buckwheat, oatmeal and wheat.

The child's daily diet should be enriched with baked apples, fruits and vegetables that contain fiber.

Refined vegetable oil should be used as a salad dressing. As for drinks, give preference to lingonberry and cranberry compotes and mineral water, which is best bought in order to avoid counterfeits at the pharmacy.

The duration of the preparatory stage is 2-3 weeks, strict adherence to dietary recommendations will minimize the risk of complications and increase the effectiveness of antiparasitic therapy.

Recovery phase diet

During the recovery phase, the child should be fed lean cooked meat and lean fish. It is imperative to introduce low-fat kefir, baby curd, as well as low-fat yogurt into the daily diet.

We must not forget about buckwheat, oatmeal and rice porridge.

You also need fresh fruits, vegetables (thoroughly washed), you can add puree from vegetables and fruits. You still shouldn't give sweets, starchy foods and sugar. The child should drink a lot to replenish the fluid deficit and remove residual toxins, especially pharmacy mineral water.

It is advisable to add lemon to weak green tea, offer compotes and always sour fruit drinks. Herbal decoctions with regenerating, anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects are also indicated during recovery. In the summer, it is advisable to regularly sunbathe and swim in the sea water.

Traditional medicine tips

Many parents combine traditional and traditional medicine to treat their children. Some folk recipes really help alleviate the baby's condition and reduce the risk of complications. However, in any case, you need to consult with your doctor before using folk remedies, which include:

• dandelion root decoction accepted within 10 days. To prepare the broth, 2 tbsp is used. tablespoons of dry crushed dandelion root, which are poured with 0.5 liters of water. The mixture must be boiled over low heat for 15 minutes, then cooled, filtered and taken twice a day before meals (preferably in the morning and evening), 1 tsp. for every 10 kg of weight;
  

  Dandelion root decoction

• cucumber tincture made from cucumber pulp and seeds, which are best taken from overripe cucumber. Chopped pulp and seeds are poured with 0.5 liter of boiling water and infused for 2 hours. The cooled solution is filtered and offered to the child instead of water.
  

  Cucumber tincture

Preventive methods

1. Washing hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after active play in the fresh air and contact with pets.
   

   Washing hands with soap and water

2. Avoid contact with street animals.
   

   Giardiasis - an award for communication between toddlers and street animals

3. Drink exclusively boiled or bottled water.
   

   Boiled water

4. All vegetables and fruits must be doused with boiling water before meals.
   

   All vegetables, fruits, herbs, berries before use should not only be thoroughly rinsed with running water, but also doused with boiling water

5. Do not allow children to swim in dirty waters.
   

   Do not swim in muddy waters

Compliance with these simple measures will not only reduce the risk of infection, but also relapse. If any alarming symptoms appear, parents should first see a doctor. If there has been a case of giardiasis in the family, treatment is recommended for all family members, this will minimize the risk of possible relapse.

Video - How not to treat lamblia