When the worm is really in it again
Something from the disgusting box again today. It's about worms. This is actually a very, very common story in small children - and often causes a lot of disgust in the children concerned and their families, even though the whole thing is a fairly harmless story from a medical point of view.
I was once told by a colleague who works with natural history that he always tells parents that worms only enter the intestines of very healthy children. This means that a worm infestation is, so to speak, an accolade for the child's healthy intestinal flora. That's a positive aspect to start with.
But how do I actually notice that my child has worms? The classic symptom is that the child complains of an itchy bottom. Often when falling asleep or at night when it is warm under the covers. In girls, this itching can also occur in the vaginal area. Some children also have stomach ache, sometimes less appetite and may also be cranky, i.e. simply not in a good mood.
And how do I know for sure that my child has worms? The best method is still to take a really close look at the child's faeces. Really close means: I have to really look through the sausage with the plastic fork and then I can usually see little white threads moving around. Then we have living proof that the child is infested with worms.
Worms are transmitted from person to person, specifically the eggs of the worms. Children get them under their fingernails when they scratch their bums and then spread them directly to other children or leave them on doorknobs, for example. Infestation can also occur via unwashed fruit or vegetables.
Once the worms have been detected, good, consistent treatment is required. For this purpose, there are worming products that are given to the children once - and then (very important!) repeated after two weeks. As a rule, I would always treat younger family members as well; with adults, it is debatable whether they should also be treated or only if they have the feeling that they are also infested with worms.
The whole thing is not a notifiable disease and children are still allowed to go to nursery or school. However, most facilities appreciate it very much if you inform the management.
So to summarise briefly: Lots of disgust - little medical problem. In brackets: Accolade for the healthy intestinal flora system.
Further interesting tips
Renal pelvic inflammation
Renal pelvic inflammatory disease, also known as upper urinary tract infection, is a condition that is not at all uncommon in babies and small children - and it is important to know something about it.
Health letter
A somewhat more difficult topic today - but one that we paediatricians are very concerned about. Because we are very often confronted with the fact that we are supposed to give a child a "clean bill of health". In other words, we are asked to certify schools, nurseries or childminders: This child is healthy. But we can't do that.
Food
In keeping with Joachim Löw's resignation as national coach, today we have a "highly" complex topic: food.