Childhood parasites can be bothersome, but in most cases they are fully treatable. Children in school or daycare are at a higher risk for catching such parasites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention names giardia, pinworms and head lice as common parasites in children. Preventing the spread of such parasites requires identifying and treating the infection and keeping infected children away from others until treatment is complete.
Giardia
The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin explains that Giardia lamblia is one of the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. Giardia is a protozoa that inhabits the intestines of both humans and animals. It can be passed through fecal matter from both animals to humans and humans to other humans. Children who wear diapers and attend daycare or who drink untreated water are at risk for developing giardia infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that symptoms of this infection include diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, abdominal cramping and upset stomach. The infection generally lasts two to six weeks.
Pinworms
KidsGrowth.com points out that one in three children worldwide has pinworms. Pinworm eggs can be swallowed by a child who has put her hands in her mouth after playing in the dirt or failing to wash her hands after using the bathroom. Once the eggs are ingested, the pinworms can hatch and grow into adults within two to four weeks. The adult pinworm can be about 1/4 inch long and is very thin and white. The worms may be found in the stools or near the anal opening. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that other symptoms of the parasite include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, loose bloody stools, rash or itching around the rectum or vulva, fatigue, weight loss and the identification of a worm in the stool. Fortunately, a doctor can prescribe medication to kill the parasites. It is often advisable to treat an entire family to be sure the pinworms are gone.
Head Lice
KidsHealth.org describes head lice as tiny, wingless parasitic insects that live in human hair and feed on minute amounts of blood taken from the scalp. This parasitic infection is especially common among children between three and 12 years of age. Lice spread easily from one person to another. The lice can literally jump from one host to another. Lice lay brown eggs, called nits. The nits will hatch one or two weeks after being laid and then grown into adult lice one to two weeks after hatching. The lice feed on the scalp and cause small, red bumps and itching. Scratching the scalp can lead to broken skin and even bacterial infection. Treatment requires the use of special lice-killing shampoos and combs to remove the nits and be sure that no new lice hatch.
References
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Parasitic Diseases- Giardiasis Fact Sheet
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin: Viruses, Bacteria and Intestinal Parasites in the Digestive Tract
- Kids Growth: Parasites, Pinworms and Thrush
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Intestinal Parasites
- Kids Health: Head Lice
