Children can become infected with many different types of stomach or intestinal parasites. These parasitic infections are sometimes easily treated, but they can be life-threatening in many cases if left unchecked. If you suspect that your child has a parasitic infection, seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Types
If your child has a parasitic infection of the stomach or intestines, the infection could be caused by parasitic organisms like hookworms, pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms, amoebas, giardia or cryptosporidium, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A condition called giardiasis, an infection with the giardia parasite, is usually caused by consuming or contact with food, water and fecal matter infested with the parasite. Cryptosporidium infections can come from the same sources, but can also be contracted by swimming in pool water containing fecal matter, usually from a dirty diaper, notes MayoClinic.com. In some cases, you can also get stomach or intestinal parasites from contact with contaminated soil.
Risk Factors
Your child is at a higher risk of parasitic infections if he has contact with an infected person, goes to a daycare center or nursing home, or lives in an area with incidences of parasitic infections, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Your child also has increased risks if he frequently travels to foreign countries, doesn't wash hands properly, consumes infected foods or drinks infected water, has HIV or AIDS, or otherwise has an impaired immune system. In general, children and elderly people have a greater chance of contracting parasitic infections than other populations.
Effects
Cryptosporidium infections can cause your child to have stomach upset and potentially severe diarrhea, states MayoClinic.com. Giardia can also cause these symptoms, along with gas and nausea. Other effects from stomach parasites include bloody stools, an itchy rash around the rectum, fatigue, weight loss and even worms passed in the stools. Although your child could simply have stomach pains and little other effects, some parasitic infections can lead more serious health effects or even death if left untreated, warns the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Treatments
Your child's physician will prescribe a specific medication that will kill the particular intestinal or stomach parasite causing the infection, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Depending on the type of drug and parasite, your child may need to take the medicine once or continuously for a few weeks. Certain natural remedies may also help in treating parasitic infections, such as papaya, anise, black walnut, wormwood, wormseed, tansy, sweet Annie, cloves, curled mint, barberry, goldenthread, Oregon grape, goldenseal, garlic, gentian, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf, neem or lapacho, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. No widely-accepted medical research supports the use of any herbal remedy for treating intestinal parasites, so consult your child's doctor before attempting to use them.
Prevention
Proper and frequent hand washing can help to prevent stomach parasites in children, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Encouraging your child to not drink the water while swimming in a pool, lake or stream can also prevent infections. Drinking only filtered or purified water, or boiling unpurified water before consuming it, can help as well, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Drink bottled water and don't eat raw foods while you're traveling in developing countries or other high-risk areas. Overall good hygiene and proper food preparation can help prevent parasitic infections.
