Giardiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Giardia, a single-celled protozoan parasite. Giardia in a child lives in the small intestine and liver, causing malfunctions in the normal functioning of these organs.
Giardia species
The parasites are divided into two types. Mobile lamblia in children (the photo shows them) are pear-shaped, they have a rounded front end and a pointed back. The length is half a millimeter. The parasite has a disk, with which it sticks to the intestinal mucosa, and 4 pairs of flagella. If Giardia penetrates from the small intestine into the large intestine, they are modified as a result of unfavorable conditions. Motile parasites are transformed into cysts, devoid of mobility. The shape becomes oval, and the length increases to a millimeter. Together with the feces, cysts are excreted from the body. However, in the external environment, they do not die immediately, but for a long time retain the ability to infect others. When injected into the human body, cysts regain mobility.
Giardia in a child: ways of infection
Parasites are most often deployed in sewage, on the surface of unwashed vegetables and fruits, on the dirty hands of infected children, in children's sandboxes. Based on this, three main ways of infection can be distinguished:
- water, when Giardia enters the body when a child consumes contaminated tap water;
- contact-household, when the transmission of cysts occurs directly from one child to another, including through dishes and toys;
- food when a child eats unwashed vegetables and fruits that are contaminated with cysts.
Giardia in a child: what is the danger?
Parasites, while in the body, take nutrients from the baby's blood in order to be able to reproduce. Lack of minerals and vitamins can lead to beriberi. But Giardia not only take the necessary substances from the blood, but also release toxins into it that suppress the immune system and provoke the development of allergic reactions. Children with giardiasis are more likely to experience colds, bronchitis and dermatitis.
Giardia in children: symptoms
Treatment of giardiasis will depend on the symptoms, which, in turn, depend on the form of the disease. So, with the rapid development of pathology, due to the ingestion of a large number of cysts into the body at once, an acute form of giardiasis is diagnosed. It is characterized by symptoms such as loss of appetite, fever (up to 39 ° C), nausea and vomiting. In addition, the child may have rashes (similar to thosethat appear with rubella) and bloating. The acute form of giardiasis in most cases affects children under three years of age, since their immune system is not yet fully developed. But the correct diagnosis at this stage is rarely made. Most often, pathology is mistaken for an acute intestinal infection. Without proper treatment, giardiasis becomes chronic. The child may periodically complain of abdominal pain, sometimes diarrhea occurs. Over time, weight loss occurs, the skin becomes pale, and a yellow coating forms on the tongue.
Giardia in a child: how to treat?
Cure giardiasis is not so easy. The child is prescribed antiparasitic drugs in a dosage selected individually depending on weight, age and characteristics of the course of the disease. Somewhere on the fifth day of treatment, a deterioration in the condition may be observed, but do not be afraid. This is due to the fact that Giardia in a child in the body begins to die and disintegrate en masse, while harmful decay products enter the bloodstream. To alleviate the condition, the doctor may prescribe laxatives and antihistamines. Approximately on the ninth day the condition improves. But it should be remembered that giardiasis can always return, so treatment should be carried out comprehensively, and hygiene rules will prevent re-infection.
