Sinusitis

How to cure Giardia in a 3-year-old child. Giardia - special microorganisms

The small intestines and liver are primarily affected by the insidious Giardia. Having problems with assimilation nutrients. The consequences of helminth activity affect the quality of blood, causing a “poisonous blow” to the donor.

What is Giardia?

vegetative;
spore

➡ Vegetative form

In the vegetative, active form, Giardia resembles a pear measuring less than 0.02 mm. “Equipped” with four pairs of flagella, with the help of which it moves in the donor’s body. On the thickened part of the “pear” there is a suction disk - thanks to it, the protozoan attaches to the intestinal walls. Giardia feeds on a solution of nutrients formed during the digestion process. “Prefers” carbohydrate foods – sweets and flour products.

In the vegetative phase of their life, Giardia actively reproduces by ordinary division, like amoebas. Their number is increasing at incredible speed.

If an immature Giardia specimen finds itself in less comfortable conditions, it adapts to the environment, turning into a cyst. Helminths leave the body from the large intestine with feces. In capsulated form, they can live for months until they find a new “owner”.

The number of viable cysts is directly dependent on the degree of infection and the food consumed by the child. There are more of them in summer and autumn due to large quantity fiber in the diet. The longer the baby is infected, the greater the number of capsulated lamblia secreted by him. The main source of infection with giardiasis is a person capable of excreting helminth cysts, his habits and lifestyle. The mechanism of infection is fecal-oral.

There are three main ways of transmitting the disease:

unwashed or poorly washed vegetables, fruits and berries;
undercooked or undercooked meat;
products infested with flies or cockroaches;

⇒ 2. Water. A significant part of the epidemic manifestations of the disease is aquatic in nature. In a humid environment, Giardia cysts live for a very long time - up to several months. A very high incidence of giardiasis is observed when water intake with drinking water drainage of contaminated soil or drainage containing infected animal excrement. Are fraught with similar outbreaks and malfunctions on wastewater treatment plants. Infection occurs:

through unboiled drinking water;
through vegetables and fruits washed with tap water or water from rivers and lakes;
when swimming in open water contaminated with Giardia cysts.

failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
unsanitary living conditions;
use of infected household items (linen, dishes, toys);
presence of bad habits (finger sucking, pencil sucking, nail biting);
playing with yard cats and dogs;
infection of an infant from the mother during childbirth or through breast milk.

Important! Giardia cysts do not live in seawater.

Symptoms of giardiasis in children

The clinical picture of giardiasis is often similar to the manifestations of other “sores”. If parents doubt whether their children have Giardia, the symptoms and treatment of the disease should be monitored by a specialist. However, you should know the signs of helminth cyst infection. If you have several symptoms, you need to rush to see a specialist. The main manifestations of giardiasis:

loose stool(foamy, sometimes foul-smelling), turning into diarrhea. Sometimes diarrhea gives way to constipation within a few days;
belching, heartburn, bitterness in the mouth;
nausea and vomiting;
bloating, increased gas formation;
pain in the right hypochondrium and in the navel area;
slight increase in body temperature;
allergic manifestations that externally resemble diathesis or measles. In adolescents, acne may appear or worsen;
poor appetite;
weight loss;
dizziness, headache;
general malaise;
enlarged spleen and liver;
causeless enlargement of lymph nodes;
choking cough;
fatigue, decreased concentration;
irritability;
grinding of teeth, usually in sleep;
changes in skin pigmentation (darkening, pallor, “marbled” nose);
the appearance of a yellowish coating on the tongue;
dry skin (“pimples”, bumps, cracks on the feet);
hair thinning.

A large number of Giardia cysts provokes an acute form of the disease. It usually occurs in the youngest children under three years of age. This is explained by the fact that babies have an underdeveloped immune system. Diagnosing acute giardiasis is not easy. The baby begins to be treated for other diseases, and giardiasis becomes chronic. The clinical picture of the disease must be confirmed by laboratory tests.

Diagnosis of the disease

If giardiasis is not detected in time, unpleasant consequences. In addition, treat the disease detected on early stages, simpler. There are several research methods that allow you to diagnose infection of the body with Giardia:

Palpation. Doctor analyzes painful sensations a small patient in the area of the intestines, gall bladder, liver;
Coprogram. A stool examination is performed to detect Giardia cysts. May show false negative result– at “silent” stages, when cysts are not excreted in feces. Repeated studies are recommended;
Probing. The biliary system is examined. With this method, you can detect not only cysts, but also active forms Giardia. False negative results are excluded. To carry out probing, the child must be over ten years old;
Biopsy. Epithelium is being studied small intestine.
Enzyme immunoassay blood test. Antibodies to Giardia appear in the body two weeks after infection. This method even allows you to call approximate period development of the disease. Blood from a vein is donated on an empty stomach. It is recommended to use simultaneously with coprogram.

There are modern immunological methods for detecting giardiasis antigens in feces and antibodies in the small intestine, blood serum, and saliva. They are promising, but national medicine are still used extremely rarely. Typically, specialists resort to the simplest method - stool examination.

Important! Diagnosis of the disease may give incorrect results if the patient is taking antibiotics. Medicines can temporarily destroy a significant portion of helminths.

Drug treatment of giardiasis

Doctors of the “old school” recommend immediately starting treatment when Giardia is detected. Specialists adhering to modern approach, it is advised to resort to massive therapy only after the manifestation of obvious symptoms - vomiting and diarrhea.

Parents should think about this. Perhaps the child is only a carrier of Giardia cysts. And it is still unknown how his body will react to the use of serious medicines. Although according to Russian sanitary rules A child infected with giardiasis will not be allowed into kindergarten. In any case, it is better to consult with a specialist with a good professional reputation who inspires trust.

Doctors treat giardiasis according to a proven scheme, which includes three stages:

Important! It is advisable to start the diet two weeks before drug therapy.

➡ Restorative. After the elimination of the causative agents of giardiasis, enzymes and agents are prescribed to stabilize the intestinal flora. The intake of sorbents is not canceled, the diet is followed.

It happens that when secondary diagnosis a few months later, tests again show the presence of helminth cysts in the child. But there is no clear answer to the question of whether this is caused by repeated infection or whether the treatment only temporarily “silenced” giardiasis. In any case, a second cycle of treatment of the disease with other drugs is carried out.

Treatment of giardiasis with folk remedies

At the stage of recovery of the body, traditional medicine gives good results. But “grandmother’s” remedies should only be used to complement the main treatment.

Cucumber tincture. Pour boiling water over 200 g of seed cucumbers and leave. Drink at least half a liter per day;
Bergamot oil. Place a drop of oil on a cube of refined sugar. Consume on an empty stomach for seven days;
Aspen decoction. Grind the bark, leaves, and buds of the tree. Pour a spoonful of the resulting powder into a liter of water. Cook for half an hour. Strain and let cool. Drink 200 g twice a day for half a month;
A decoction of dandelion roots. Grind two tablespoons of roots, add half a liter of water. Boil for 15 minutes. Drain through cheesecloth and let cool. Drink in the morning and before bed on an empty stomach for 10 days. Dosage – a teaspoon of decoction per 10 kilograms of the child’s weight;
Tincture of celandine. Grind a tablespoon of herbs, pour into a thermos, pour 400 g of boiling water. Let it brew for two hours, drain through the filter. Take a tablespoon before meals. After five days of taking the tincture, take a two-day break;
Compresses with grease. Take it soaked in hot water Place a towel on your stomach in the liver area for 10-15 minutes. Wipe the skin dry, put a sheet of paper on this place, and white grease on it. Cover plastic film. Do it at night. In the morning, wash off the grease and lubricate the skin with a rich cream. Carry out the procedure every night for half a month;
Garlic. Grind 300 g of garlic, add vodka, let it brew for 10 days in a dark, well-heated place. Take 10-20 g twice a day after meals. Do not use when treating children under 12 years of age;
Kalina. Eat a handful of viburnum every morning for two weeks. Chew the bones thoroughly;
Sagebrush. Grind. Take 1 teaspoon per day for 10 days. a large number liquids. To eliminate bitterness, add a little honey;
Flax-seed. Grind the seeds, mix in a ratio of 10:1 with spicy cloves. Take with food;
Coconut. Open the nut and divide it into pieces. Grind the pulp on a grater for three days and eat it on an empty stomach. After taking the pulp, refrain from eating for about three hours;
Linden. Burn the tree branches. Sift the ashes and mix with honey. Drink before breakfast and dinner for four days. Children under 10 years old - a teaspoon, after 10 - a tablespoon. Drink with warm milk;
Pumpkin seeds. Eat from 50 to 100 g. The dosage depends on the age of the child;
Fennel. Grind and add heated water in a 1:2 ratio. Leave for 24 hours, drain the water. Pour water again into the soaked fruits in a 1:1 ratio and boil. Strain, add drained water. Drink 50-100 g 30 minutes before meals.

Start auxiliary treatment methods traditional medicine It is still better to follow the recommendation of the attending physician. Perhaps some component of the tincture or decoction is contraindicated for the child. The specialist will also tell you how to choose the right menu for your baby. Basic principles for constructing a child’s diet, taking into account the characteristics of the causative agents of giardiasis:

Preventing the consumption of fast carbohydrates. The causative agents of giardiasis “adore” sweets and baked goods. These products contribute to the avalanche-like proliferation of helminths. You can ask the kindergarten staff to exclude buns and cheesecakes from the child’s menu. It is recommended to limit the consumption of sweet fruits, dried fruits, and fresh bread. It is allowed to give the baby crackers and crackers;
Planning a diet that includes slow carbohydrates. The child must eat porridge cooked in water: oatmeal, rice, wheat, buckwheat, corn;
Inclusion in the diet of foods that can create an acidic environment in the stomach. Before meals, children should drink sour fruit drinks and compotes. Useful sour fruits and berries;
“Delivery” of pectins into the body. They cleanse the body of toxic substances, have a positive effect on peristalsis and improve metabolism. Contained in fruits (apples) and berries;
Refusal of fatty, spicy, fried foods. It puts maximum stress on the digestive system;
Selective consumption of protein foods. Varieties of meat and fish with minimal fat content are suitable for cooking. Exclude smoked products and all types of sausages;
Inclusion in the diet fermented milk products. They normalize the intestinal microflora, it is advisable to consume them daily. Milk is prohibited - it creates conditions for fermentation in the intestines;
Organization of frequent meals. Daily ration should be divided into at least six doses. The food is well crushed and pureed;
Creating a special drinking regime. The child's body should receive a lot of fluid. Water is preferable. Soda and juices are excluded.

Important! When carrying out therapy in children, all family members and pets should be treated for giardiasis.

Prevention of Giardia infection

Cured giardiasis does not give the body immunity to the disease. Re-infection is possible. Moms and dads of children who have gotten rid of helminths and parents who do not want the infection to reach their children must remember:

💡 Giardia enters the child’s intestines through dirty hands. It is not enough to wet them with water after a walk, visiting the toilet or playing with a kitten. It is important to lather your hands for at least 10-15 seconds. Parents should make sure that this becomes a habit for the child.

💡 The most contagious object on a walk is the sandbox. Stray animals use it as a toilet. It is necessary to cover the sandbox at night with a thick film stretched over slats. It won't be difficult to make it. It is worth taking care of such protection in kindergarten, asking teachers to close the sandboxes after walks.

💡 All household members must have their own towel.

💡 Pets, be it a dog, cat or hamster, should undergo regular anthelmintic treatment. Wearing a flea collar won't hurt them either. Do not allow your child to empty or clean animal trays.

💡 It is necessary to monitor whether the child has bad habits. Gently, not persistently, you need to wean your baby from biting his nails, sucking fingers, and putting foreign objects in his mouth.

💡 Drinking water should be boiled. Sanitation tap water not enough to destroy Giardia cysts.

💡 Vegetables, fruits, fresh herbs should be washed under running water. Then they need to be poured with boiling water and dried with a clean napkin.

💡 When relaxing on open water bodies, pay attention to the child’s behavior special attention. No one is protected from swallowing water when swimming, so it is better to protect small children from water procedures in a river or lake. sea water- exception.

💡 The child’s diet should be complete and balanced. Products containing simple carbohydrates(sugar, baked goods, sweet drinks), preferably kept to a minimum. They should be replaced with products that can cleanse the intestines.

💡 Due attention should be focused on feeding the child outside the home. You should not buy him food in establishments fast food.

💡 More time should be spent on improving the child’s immunity. This will be helped by hardening, training in sports clubs and sections, active games on fresh air. Flaw essential vitamins and microelements should be replenished with preparations selected taking into account the characteristics of the child’s body.

💡 If two or more symptoms of giardiasis are detected, you need to contact a specialist. It's better to be safe than to start a disease.

Although prevention does not guarantee one hundred percent protection from Giardia, it will certainly reduce the possibility of infection. And following basic precautions will protect you from other, more serious diseases.

The diagnosis of “giardiasis” in children is made quite often. Children with allergies, digestive disorders, and poor weight gain are suspected of giardiasis. Parents are surprised whether one disease can manifest itself so differently in children?

Giardiasis, or giardiasis, is very insidious disease, it easily disguises itself as other common diseases. Often, giardiasis remains unrecognized; children receive treatment for a long time and to no avail, which does not bring any results. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of giardiasis in children and treatment methods.

Pediatrician, neonatologist

According to WHO, giardiasis is widespread. About 500 million people worldwide have symptoms of the disease. Approximately 30% of the Russian population is infected with Giardia; the disease is especially often diagnosed in children attending children's groups.

What is giardiasis?

What does lamblia look like?

Where does Giardia come from in children?

But giardiasis can be contracted not only from humans. Dogs, cats, large cattle, rodents are also susceptible to the disease and excrete cysts in their feces.

Giardiasis is easy to get infected by simply eating foods contaminated with cysts, drinking unheated water, or not washing your hands before eating. It is not for nothing that giardiasis is also called “the disease of dirty hands.”

How does giardiasis manifest in children?

Signs of giardiasis in children are varied and depend on the state of the child’s immunity. The disease can occur either acutely, with clear clinical manifestations, or in a mild form. Sometimes it is difficult to determine giardiasis; asymptomatic cases occur.

The disease in children most often occurs in an acute form, the main symptoms of which are the following.

Diarrhea. Diarrhea is the most common symptom diseases. The nature of feces with giardiasis changes, the feces become liquid, with unpleasant smell, mixed with mucus, usually yellow. Sometimes diarrhea alternates with constipation.
Indigestion. Intestinal function is disrupted, gas formation increases, and bloating occurs. Nausea and vomiting are symptoms characteristic of the acute form of the disease, with chronic course rarely occur.
Abdominal pain. Increased gas formation, flatulence, incorrect operation intestines lead to spasms and pain around the navel and in the stomach area.
Increase in temperature. A slight increase in temperature is possible when Giardia first enters the child’s body. Characteristic of the acute form of giardiasis and is combined with intoxication and deterioration general condition baby.
Loss of appetite. Against the background of a general deterioration in the condition, the toddler’s appetite also changes. With an asymptomatic course, there may be no changes in appetite.
Malabsorption. Intestinal dysfunction and frequent loose stools lead to decreased absorption of nutrients in the intestines. The baby does not receive enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals and begins to lose weight.
Skin changes. Vitamin deficiency manifests itself skin symptoms, the skin becomes dry, snags appear in the corners of the mouth, and cracks appear on the lips. Sometimes there is an increase in pigmentation, a marbled skin pattern.
Deterioration in health. All this leads to a deterioration in the baby’s general condition; the baby becomes irritable, capricious, and gets tired quickly. If giardiasis is not recognized for a long time and is not prescribed correct treatment, chronic malaise leads to a lag in the physical development of children.
Allergic reactions. Giardia multiplies in the child's body and produces toxins that are absorbed into the blood. Toxins inhibit performance immune system and provoke the development of various allergic reactions, atopic.Why do allergies and cough occur with giardiasis in children?Giardia lives only in the intestines and does not get into the lungs, so why is coughing considered one of the signs of giardiasis? Cough serves response to the introduction of toxins, often of an allergic nature. And reduced immunity with giardiasis provokes the development of chronic bronchitis.
Neurological disorders. Constant intoxication and vitamin deficiency lead to disorder nervous system. In addition to irritability and anxiety, there are nervous tics, trembling hands, grinding teeth at night.

Why is Giardia dangerous in children and is it necessary to treat Giardiasis?

This issue is a source of controversy among doctors. Many people think giardiasis dangerous disease, which poisons the body, causes chronic diseases and demands immediate treatment.

Other doctors, including Dr. Komarovsky, consider only the acute form of giardiasis dangerous. The doctor insists that treatment is required for diarrhea lasting more than 10 days, or if there are no signs of others and Giardia cysts are detected in the stool.

What can be said for sure is that it is necessary to understand the appropriateness of treatment in each specific case. Manifestations of giardiasis in children are varied; the disease can affect many systems of the body, and can be asymptomatic.

With a small number of cysts in the intestines, the human body can cope on its own and “remove” Giardia into environment without harm to the patient.

A doctor can recognize Giardia in a child and determine the need for treatment by assessing the results of diagnostic tests.

Diagnosis of giardiasis in children

Several diagnostic methods are used to detect Giardia in a child.

In this case, the immune cells remain, and Giardia cysts may no longer be present in the stool. The opposite situation is possible, when Giardia has entered the child’s body, and immunity has not yet been formed. Thus, positive test blood test for giardiasis does not indicate the need for treatment.

The most reliable, simple and inexpensive way examination of a child for Giardia - stool analysis.

How to treat Giardia in children?

The main goal of therapy for giardiasis is to remove lamblia from small intestine.

Unfortunately, folk remedies cannot guarantee recovery, their effectiveness has not been proven, and the harm sometimes exceeds the benefits of treatment. A lot of time is spent trying to recover in this way; the disease can progress.

Prevention of giardiasis in children

Like many other diseases, giardiasis can be prevented by knowing simple rules. In addition, the possibility of re-infection with Giardia cannot be ruled out, especially in childhood.

Therefore, it is important to follow preventive measures.

All family members, including the child, must strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene and wash their hands regularly.
Vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly before consumption.
Drink only boiled water; not all filters can purify water from Giardia.
Do not allow your child to swim in bodies of water if you doubt the quality of the water. A child can ingest Giardia cysts while bathing.
Get your stool tested for Giardia regularly.

Conclusions

Symptoms of the disease are very diverse, the disease can manifest itself as severe work abnormalities internal organs, or may be asymptomatic. There are cases of spontaneous cure of giardiasis, when the body copes with the disease itself.

The main task of parents is to prevent the disease, teach the child the rules of personal hygiene, and monitor the purity of the food consumed. This way you can protect your baby not only from giardiasis, but also from many others. infectious diseases.

(No ratings yet)

Graduated from Lugansk State medical university in the specialty “Pediatrics” in 2010, completed an internship in the specialty “Neonatology” in 2017, in 2017 she was awarded category 2 in the specialty “Neonatology”. I work in Lugansk Republican perinatal center, formerly - the Rovenkovsky neonatal department maternity hospital. I specialize in nursing premature babies.

Dear reader!
This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to know how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!
Along with this, this disease often provokes the development of severe allergic reactions. Babies infected with Giardia develop dermatological diseases, pathology respiratory system, frequent colds and other diseases.

The main methods of infection with giardiasis include:
Along with this, Giardia is carried by flies, cockroaches, house ants and pets. Doctors note that this disease is detected much more often in children living in unsanitary conditions.
Symptoms of the disease
Parents are often interested in the question of what signs can be used to find out whether a child has lamblia. As a rule, giardiasis does not manifest itself for a long time. In childhood, the disease occurs predominantly in an acute form.
Acute form
Chronic form
At this stage, giardiasis can be detected by the following signs:
In babies infancy the disease often manifests itself in the form of episodic hyperthermia while maintaining normal health. When infected with Giardia, the baby practically does not gain weight, it slows down physical development. The baby is suffering frequent diarrhea, the appearance of a rash on the skin. With giardiasis, infants may experience shortness of breath, which pediatricians often mistake for a manifestation of asthma.
Types of Giardia and forms of Giardiasis in children
For this reason, it is incorrect to call these single-celled microorganisms worms.
The disease can manifest itself in 2 forms:
Carriage of pathology. Implies an asymptomatic course. The danger of a child to others is that he releases the infectious agent into the external environment.
Pronounced giardiasis, which is characterized by obvious clinical picture.

Along with this, the disease occurs:
Primary when it occurs acute form pathology. Typically, this type is found in infants and preschool children.
Secondary, or protracted. IN in this case we're talking about O chronic form a disease that is usually diagnosed in schoolchildren and adult patients.

Forms of giardiasis are also classified into:
clinical intestinal, which is characterized by the development of dysfunction duodenum, duodenitis, enterocolitis and enteritis;
hepatobiliary, occurring in the form of cholecystitis, cholangitis and impaired motility of the biliary tract.

Depending on the prevailing symptoms, the disease can take one of the following forms:
Diagnosis of giardiasis
Scatological examination of stool
To achieve reliable results, in most cases, fecal tests are performed multiple times with certain intervals. As a rule, 3-4 delivery procedures are required at a three-day interval. Only this scheme provides 90% accuracy.
Serological study
2 weeks after infection in children's body Antibodies begin to be produced, which can be detected in blood taken from a vein. In chronic form of the disease this method diagnostics does not provide objective results. IN lately serological test not recommended for holding on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Duodenal sounding
Until recently, this method made it possible to determine Giardia in the biliary tract. However, scientists have proven that these single-celled microorganisms only affect the upper part of the small intestine, since bile is destructive for them. Besides, duodenal intubation children are prescribed only in exceptional cases, as they have a hard time with this procedure.
Additional Methods
TO additional ways Diagnosis of giardiasis include:
duodenal biopsy;
enzyme immunoassay;
immunoelectrophoresis.

The listed methods are prescribed in cases where blood and stool tests show a negative result, but the symptoms of the disease are obvious. Only after making a diagnosis does the doctor begin to develop a treatment plan.
Treatment of the disease
Children are also prescribed antispasmodics and tablets that increase the body's defenses. Meals on preparatory stage implies renunciation carbohydrate food, inclusion of porridge in the menu, fresh vegetables and fruits, drinks made from sour berries, mineral water.
At the second stage of treatment, measures are taken to increase the body's defenses and minimize the consequences of the disease. For this purpose, the child is prescribed drugs that improve intestinal motility, enzyme agents and medications to eliminate dysbiosis. The diet during the rehabilitation period involves the use of lean boiled meat, fish low-fat varieties, fermented milk products, cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits. At the same time, sweets, flour products, and dishes with high content carbohydrates.
The child should be provided with plenty of fluids in the form of mineral water, fruit drinks and compotes of sour berries and fruits, tea with lemon. In addition, the baby needs to make decoctions medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory, wound healing and choleretic properties. At the final stage, the little patient is necessarily prescribed vitamin complexes.

Folk remedies in the treatment of disease
Before using any of these methods, you should consult your doctor. Despite the fact that folk remedies are based on the use of components natural origin, they may have side effects.
Preventive measures
Avoid of this disease and to prevent its re-development will be achieved by following simple rules:
instilling hygiene standards in children;
thorough washing of vegetables and fruits;
boiling water;
timely anthelmintic treatment of pets;
excluding children from swimming in open water.

Dear readers, you have probably heard something about Giardia more than once. Even this word sounds somehow very unpleasant, right? Many parents are frightened if such a diagnosis is given to their child. Today, together with pediatrician Oksana Elhissi, we will talk about the symptoms, treatment of Giardia in children and the prevention of this disease. I give the floor to Oksana.

How does giardiasis become infected?

In his life cycle Giardia goes through two stages:

trophozoite - a unicellular microorganism in the vegetative stage, pear-shaped with flagella, through which it can move quickly;
cyst - with unfavorable conditions life activity, the trophozoid turns into an oval cyst, incapable of independent movement. The cyst remains viable in a humid environment for three months. Even in the presence of small concentrations of chlorine, the cyst retains its viability.

The disease giardiasis is widespread throughout the world. Traditional leaders among regions with high percentage cases of infection are considered to be the tropical regions of Africa, Mexico and South America, southern and south-eastern regions of Asia, where the level of sanitary and hygienic provision is catastrophically low. However, cases of giardiasis infection are also recorded in developed countries.

Both adults and children are susceptible to the disease, but children under five years of age account for the most large percentage sick.

Let's see what Giardia looks like in the photo.

How the infection is transmitted

The mechanism of infection with giardiasis is fecal-oral via several routes of transmission:

from a sick person or child to healthy ones through toys, utensils and household items, dirty hands;
through contaminated water;
through unwashed food.

Massive epidemics of giardiasis occur only through contaminated water. Quite enough small quantity cysts (about 10 pieces) for infection with this serious illness. Animals, including domestic ones, can also be a source of infection.

How to determine giardiasis in a child

The incubation period can last from one week to two.

After comes acute stage, which is manifested by increased body temperature, decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort, nausea, belching and frequent watery stools with a pungent odor.

However, according to statistics, in most patients the clinical picture of the disease is not so clear, which leads to a loss of time for diagnosis and transition to the chronic stage.

Symptoms and signs of Giardia in children

The main symptoms of giardiasis infection in children:

intoxication of the body is manifested by weakness, mood swings, fatigue, complaints of body pain and headache, fluctuations in body temperature;
from the outside digestive tract– pain in the intestines, coating on the tongue, gas formation and seething in the abdomen, loss of appetite and refusal to eat, nausea and vomiting, changes in stool character, weight loss. Sometimes there is an enlargement of the liver, the development of hepatitis, cholecystitis and pancreatitis;
skin rashes - urticaria, dermatitis;
exacerbation of bronchial asthma, increased coughing attacks;
changes in blood counts;
avitaminosis;
in severe cases, signs of developmental delay are observed.

Diagnosis of giardiasis

A very common situation is completely asymptomatic giardiasis in children, which makes diagnosis difficult. To make an accurate diagnosis, clinical and laboratory examinations are performed.

Tests for Giardia in a child - how to take tests?

At the next stage, Giardia antigens are diagnosed in the patient’s stool and blood. PCR method(polymerase chain reaction), and also search for specific immunoglobulins G and M using the ELISA method (immunofluorescence analysis). The detection of immunoglobulins M indicates the presence of Giardia in the body, immunoglobulin G is responsible for the “defense” of the body - its increased performance may be detected for several months after treatment.

Blood for Giardia is taken from a vein. The analysis should be done on an empty stomach in the morning, before breakfast. A child of any age can donate blood for testing.

Data diagnostic techniques recognized as one of the most effective.

How to treat Giardia in children. Modern treatment

Treatment of giardiasis begins immediately after diagnosis, even in the absence clinical manifestations diseases. The drugs and duration of treatment are selected taking into account the course of the disease, the characteristics of the child and include:

"Nifuratel"

Currently in general practice The drug “Nifuratel” (“Makmiron”) is prescribed for 7 days. The effectiveness of this drug reaches 96%. "Nifuratel" has wide range actions and is approved for use in children from two months.

TO side effects manifestation can be attributed to in rare cases hives and skin itching. "Nifuratel" is approved for use with concomitant diseases liver, as it is excreted from the body through the kidneys.

"McMirror"

When treating giardiasis with the drug "Makmiror" in patients with atopic dermatitis there is a decrease skin manifestations by 80%. In children with bronchial asthma attacks disappeared or decreased in 85% of cases. Allergic reactions are observed in all children taking this drug.

"Albendazole"

Another drug in the treatment of giardiasis is Albendazole. Its spectrum of action covers, in addition to Giardia, also helmites, so this drug is prescribed to children with combined infestations. The standard dosage is 15 mg per kg of the child’s body weight, 2 times a day for one week. The effectiveness of the drug ranges from 30-90%.

"Metronidazole"

The widely known drug Metronidazole is increasingly rarely prescribed for drug therapy children in mind high risk side effects and low efficiency compared to analogues of 20-70%.

During the treatment of giardiasis, it is recommended to eat a diet that reduces the amount of carbohydrates and increases the intake of fiber and protein. To do this, you need to ensure daily consumption of fruits, vegetables and greens. Whole grain bread and bran bread are excellent sources of fiber. In patients with signs of lactose intolerance, exclusion from the diet of all dairy products (milk, fermented baked milk, kefir, sour cream, yogurt, feta cheese).

Before eating, you must thoroughly wash your hands and food - vegetables and fruits.

strong meat broths and fatty varieties meat;
animal fats, margarine;
legumes and dishes made from them;
seasonings and smoked meats;
sweets, refined sugar;
sweet drinks and juices;
mushrooms.

Enterosorbents and probiotics

For concomitant manifestations of pancreatitis, after the diarrhea has stopped, pancreatic enzymes and hepatoprotectors are prescribed.
Performed according to indications symptomatic treatment by prescribing painkillers and antipyretics. After treatment, complexes of essential vitamins and microelements, as well as herbal medicine, are prescribed.

And now I suggest watching the video material. What does Dr. Komarovsky say about the treatment of giardiasis?

Treatment of giardiasis in children using traditional methods

Traditional medicine also has remedies against this disease.

Horseradish with honey

You need to take a few horseradish roots, wash them thoroughly and grate them on a fine grater. Place in a small jar and pour boiled water. After 3 days, strain the mixture and add honey in a 1:1 ratio. After another 3 days, take half an hour before meals.

Dosage for children over 10 years old is 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day, and children under 2 years old can be given half a teaspoon. After a ten-day course, you need to take a break for a week and then repeat the course.

Mixture of pumpkin seeds and honey

Take 100 g pumpkin seeds, grind in a blender with two tablespoons of honey. Add 20-30 ml of water. Give this mixture to the child to eat an hour on an empty stomach. After taking it, it is recommended to do an enema.

Wormwood infusion

To prepare the infusion, you need to take 1 tablespoon of crushed wormwood and pour a glass of boiling water. Leave for half an hour and take a teaspoon 3 times a day.

And finally, I would like to draw your attention to a very important point.

Modern medicine has a full range of measures to treat adults and children from giardiasis. The key to success - timely diagnosis and compliance with all recommendations prescribed by the doctor.

Be healthy!

Elhissi Oksana,pediatrician,
author of the project School of Family Health

I thank Oksana for everything useful information about how to treat giardiasis in children. In fact, any disease does not seem so scary when you know how to cope with it.

I remember how my daughters and I were diagnosed with this. I immediately noticed then that they had nausea, weakness, nausea - in a word, there was something wrong. But I didn’t know about Giardia back then. Everyone was treated. My husband and I also took all the medications the doctor prescribed. It was a difficult time, honestly. But after the treatment, I again noticed a return of appetite and a healthy complexion in my daughters.

And for the mood, we will listen to you today Edelweiss – André Rieu.