Parasites are organisms that live and feed either in or on host organisms. Children can catch a variety of parasitic infections, including pinworms, giardiasis, roundworms and hookworms. Parasites typically affect the health of infested children. Talk to your health care provider if you think your child has a parasitic infection.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Various types of parasites live in the host's gastrointestinal tract. This can cause infected children to have diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, upset stomach or abdominal cramps. The Center for Disease Control's Division of Parasitic Diseases explains that a giardias infection often causes a kid's stools to look greasy, while a hookworm infestation might cause bloody stools, according to Medline Plus. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, warns that a parasitic roundworm infection, a condition known as ascariasis, might cause worms to appear in your child's stools or vomit. Because parasitic infections often pass to other people through fecal matter, make sure your child washes his hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the bathroom and before handling any food.
Itching
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that pinworm infestations cause children to itch around the anus, which is were the adult female worms prefer to lay their eggs. The constant scratching can cause the skin around the anus to become irritated or infected. The intense itching and discomfort might cause your child to lose sleep and become quite irritable. When children scratch, they often trap some of the eggs under their fingernails. Make sure your child washes her hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent transferring pinworm eggs to other members of your household.
Respiratory Problems
Several parasites can cause respiratory problems in children. Both hookworms and roundworms often trigger episodes of coughing. Your child might even cough up bloody sputum with either of those parasitic infections. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that roundworm parasites might also cause your child to wheeze or experience shortness of breath. As the roundworms move through your child's lungs, he might contract an uncommon type of pneumonia known as eosinophilic pneumonia.
Other Symptoms
Parasites often cause infested children to lose their appetites, which might result in rapid weight loss. Episodes of diarrhea can cause dehydration, so make sure your child drinks plenty of water while undergoing anti-parasitic treatments. According to the UMMC, pinworm infections can cause young girls to suffer from discomfort or irritation in the vagina if the worm enters that orifice. Untreated pinworm infestations may eventually lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, called PID, or vaginitis, which causes the vagina to become inflamed. Both roundworm and hookworm infestations sometimes trigger low-grade fevers. Hookworm parasites might also make your child feel fatigued and look very pale. Untreated hookworm infections sometimes result in anemia.
