Symptoms of enterobiasis in children and adults

Enterobiosis is a parasitological disease that is caused by pinworms and is characterized by bowel damage, general body allergization and specific clinical symptoms. It should be noted that this pathology refers to the most common helminthiasis, most often recorded among preschool children and children of primary school age.

Enterobiosis is carried by flies and transmitted from a sick person. Infection occurs due to ingestion of eggs of parasites or by inhalation with dust. It is also possible to self-infection when the patient experiences unbearable itch in the anus area, combs the irritation zone, polluting the hands, after which the eggs are re-swallowed.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

Symptoms of enterobiosis depend on the intensity of infection, the presence of reinfusion and individual reactions that occur after the parasites enter the body. Primary invasion lasts mainly two days. Parasitological incubation begins with the activation of females.

Enterobiosis: symptoms of the disease in children

The main manifestation of the disease is discomfort and unbearable itching in the anus area, which provokes the appearance of scratching. In addition, enterobiosis can occur with concomitant paraproctitis, dermatitis, sphincteritis, vulvovaginitis, as well as increased possibility of various allergic reactions.

With prolonged course of the disease, children lose weight. They are disturbed by the normal work of the digestive organs, signs of intoxication are associated with the accumulation of parasite products in the body. In addition, there may be abdominal pain, frequent stools, flatulence. Due to severe itching, sleep deteriorates, frequent urination at night can be recorded.

Symptoms of enterobiosis also include neurologic disorders in the form of headaches, dizziness, memory loss. Children are capricious, whiny, can not concentrate attention.

This disease is characterized by concomitant enterocolitis and gastritis, as well as pathologies that are caused by a decrease in immunity.

It is worth noting that the symptoms of enterobiasis in adulthood are less pronounced than in children. They experience mild itching in the anus, bowel disorders, lack of appetite, insomnia, and sometimes incontinence at night.

Symptoms of enterobiosis with massive infection with pinworms include the following:

• severe itching of the anus;

• nocturia;

• flatulence;

• tenesmus;

• abdominal pain and liquid bowel movements;

• allergic reactions;

• neurological symptoms.

Diagnosis of the disease is based on the clinical picture and on the results obtained after a microscopic examination of scrapings from the perianal zone. A smear for enterobiasis is taken with a cotton swab or a sticky tape.

After confirmation of the diagnosis, treatment is prescribed with special anthelminthic drugs. In addition, in the therapy of enterobiasis, personal hygiene is extremely important, which prevents repeated infection of patients.