What does a wet nose mean in a cat: should you worry?

An owner who cares for his pet should determine his well-being by the appearance of the animal. A cat's wet nose is considered a sign of health. The condition of the tip of a cat's nose is some indicator of the health or illness of the animal. A more accurate diagnosis, of course, can only be made by a veterinarian, whom you should contact if you suspect a disease.

How does a cat's nose work?

If we could examine the animal’s nose from the inside, we would see two passages separated by cartilage tissue, through which oxygen enters the body. Inside, the nasal cavity is “wrapped” with a mucous membrane, which consists of nerve endings and blood vessels. The purpose of the mucous membrane is to protect the cat from bacteria and viruses that can be transmitted, for example, through contact with an infected individual. The mucous tissue, in turn, is lined with epithelium, consisting of olfactory receptors that allow the cat to capture the most subtle aromas that a person cannot feel.

During a person’s inhalation, oxygen enters directly into the lungs, while a cat, with the help of special shells and pores located inside the nasal passages, retains the captured air so that the epithelial receptors can send a signal to the brain: is there prey nearby, an individual of the opposite sex, or food. That is, during inhalation, a cat's nose does a much more complex job than a human nose. It is believed that a cat's sense of smell is at least 15 times more powerful than a human's. Therefore, a light and almost imperceptible aroma may seem too strong and unpleasant to a cat.

Briefly about the causes of rhinitis

Due to their structure and physiological characteristics, the nasal cavities actively protect the body from external irritants. Rhinitis appears when the protective functions are weakened. Therefore, decreased immunity is the first cause of the disease.

Other reasons include the influence of the external environment. This may be exposure to allergens, the appearance of neoplasms (polyps, adenoids). Hypothermia, nasal injuries, and sometimes the consequences of surgery lead to inflammation.

Small foreign particles can irritate the mucous membrane; this often happens in young children. Dry air in the room dries it out, and blood circulation inside the nasal cavity is disrupted. Contact with chemical or toxic emissions from hazardous industries causes a strong reaction. It also reacts strongly to long-term use of vasoconstrictor drugs.

Why does a cat usually have a wet nose?

Now let's look at why cats have wet noses. The moisture of the nose is caused by the secretion of nasal secretions or normal wetting with saliva. However, a dry nose is also not always a symbol of ill health. It is considered normal for an animal to have dry earlobes while sleeping or dozing, as well as within half an hour after waking up. A wet nose should not cause concern if the cat is actively playing, as a result of which its body temperature rises and the mucous membranes dry out. Your nose may also be dry if the room is too stuffy or it’s hot outside. In addition, the effect of a dry nose may be present if the cat is stressed, overeating or hungry. It has also been noted that dry earlobes occur more often than usual in representatives of some breeds (for example, Bengal cats). In other cases, a healthy pussy should have a moist and cool nose.

If your cat’s nose is dry and unpleasant symptoms are observed (lethargy, reluctance to eat, pale mucous membranes, changes in behavior, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, dull fur, pathological discharge from the eyes, etc.), you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. The nose can be dry, for example, due to dehydration, heart problems, and some infections.

Treatment should not be neglected

You need to start treating a runny nose as early as possible, only after you feel unwell and nasal congestion. At the first stage, symptoms are relieved with rinsing preparations based on sea water.

If the disease has progressed to the second or third stages, it is necessary to contact a specialist. Treatment will depend on the type of rhinitis diagnosed by the doctor.

Acute infectious runny nose, of viral or bacterial origin, leads to fever, itching and pain in the nose, headache and hearing problems.

Using vasoconstrictor medications will help make breathing easier. Rinsing the nasal cavities with saline solutions allows you to neutralize irritants on the surface of the mucous membrane. To avoid complications in case of severe illness, the use of antibiotics is sometimes required. Good results are achieved by prescribing herbal preparations.

The main task is to prevent the transition of acute rhinitis to chronic!

• For catarrhal rhinitis with an average level of discharge and atrophic rhinitis with a particularly severe form - ozena - antiseptics and local application of ointments are prescribed. Additionally, physiotherapeutic procedures are included.
• When hypertrophic rhinitis manifests itself, when in the fall or spring the mucous membrane grows in addition to the runny nose, it is cauterized. This method is also used in cases where treatment for atrophic rhinitis fails.
• Vasomotor rhinitis develops as a result of endocrine or neurotic diseases. It is caused by vascular or other respiratory diseases. Causes include adenoids, inhalation of harmful substances, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The disease lasts a long time. Characterized by the release of large amounts of mucus, prolonged headaches, and cough. Patients complain of frequent sneezing and lack of smell. Treatment involves drug therapy, drugs or surgery.
• The operation is also indicated for post-traumatic rhinitis, which most often affects athletes. Sometimes, to get rid of a runny nose, the help of a surgeon is required for a deviated nasal septum.
• Allergic rhinitis is treated with antihistamines if the allergen is known. Medicines that support the immune system are prescribed.

When a cat's wet nose is not good

As we found out, a cat's cold, wet nose is a sign of good health. But there are also exceptions to the rule, when moisture in the nose is present in sick animals. Let's look at some ailments that cause cats to have a wet nose:

1. It is normal for a cat to have hot ears and a cold nose. However, if there is copious discharge from the nose and the ears are burning, an infection may be present (for example, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, etc.);
2. A cat's very wet nose, combined with sneezing, refusal to eat, and elevated body temperature, may indicate that the animal has a cold;
3. Sometimes the lobe becomes especially moisturized if a foreign object gets into the animal’s nasal passages. Moreover, the discharge can be not only transparent, but also bloody and purulent;
4. A cat's nose often runs due to allergies. A pet may not tolerate, for example, the smell of cigarette smoke or the aromas of cleaning products. Allergic rhinitis can develop due to rejection of plant pollen, the administration of certain medications, dust;
5. If your pet is snoring heavily, his nose is too wet, and he is breathing through his mouth, the problem may be the presence of a polyp on the nasal mucosa;
6. The cause of a too wet nose and constant discharge from it may be the presence of a benign or malignant tumor;
7. A wet and too pale nose may be a sign of cardiovascular disease;
8. If the animal's nose is not only constantly too wet, but also cold, hypothermia (hypothermia) or poisoning can be suspected.

Health indicator

From a medical point of view, the animal’s nose must be moist and slightly cool. A hot olfactory organ almost always indicates the development of a disease, even if it occurs in a latent form. If something is wrong with your pet, his nose will tell you that it's time to sound the alarm. Often it is for this reason that caring owners begin to take significant measures to treat their four-legged friend. Otherwise, a serious illness may remain invisible to the human eye, and this is fraught with additional consequences.

How to care for a cat's nose

For the most part, cats are lovers of exemplary cleanliness, so they can take care of the beauty of their fur coat, eyes and nose on their own. However, if the purr neglects hygiene, it is permissible to clean the dirty nose with cotton swabs (possibly with a limiter) dipped in warm water.

If the animal’s nose is running like a faucet, cleaning will not be enough. In this case, it is necessary to observe the animal. Is your cat clearly not feeling well? High temperature, apathy, dull eyes, refusal of a favorite treat are reasons to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Healthy cat nose

So, as it turned out above, a cat’s nose can be either dry or wet during the day. If the animal's health is not in danger, its nose may be:

• Warm and dry - during sleep, immediately after active pastime or when it is too hot;
• Slightly damp, smooth and shiny for most of the day.

If the nasal discharge is too abundant, not transparent, but bloody or purulent, there is a dried crust on the nose, the cat constantly sneezes or shakes its muzzle, then its health is in danger. To accurately determine the condition of a pet, it is not enough to just feel its nose. After all, as we found out, the lobe cannot be wet all the time. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence or absence of symptoms of malaise.

A modern view of the problem of helminthiasis in children and effective ways to solve it

According to the World Health Organization, of the 50 million people who die annually in the world, more than 16 million are caused by infectious and parasitic diseases. In the structure of infectious diseases, intestinal helminthiases are in third place. The World Bank estimates that the economic cost of intestinal helminthiases ranks fourth among all diseases and injuries. Given the importance of the control of parasitic diseases for many countries, the 54th World Health Assembly in 2001 approved a strategy for the control of soil helminthiasis until 2010 [5].

In the Russian Federation, more than 10 million people are examined annually for helminth infections, most of them are children. In 2002, 813 thousand infected were identified, of which 681 thousand (83.8%) were children under the age of 14 [4]. More than 15 types of helminths are found in children, of which the most common are enterobiasis, ascariasis, opisthorchiasis, diphyllobothriasis, trichocephalosis, and hymenolepiasis. In recent years, toxocariasis has been increasingly recorded, which is associated with the widespread introduction into practice of a diagnostic test system for its detection.

In the structure of helminthiasis, the leading place is occupied by enterobiasis (91%) and ascariasis (8%). Among all infected children, 92.3% of cases of enterobiasis, 71.1% of ascariasis, 61.5% of trichuriasis and 66.2% of toxocariasis occur.

The incidence of enterobiasis and ascariasis in children in rural areas is significantly higher than in cities, which is apparently due to different sanitary and hygienic conditions in child care institutions in the city and village, as well as the degree of contamination of the environment with helminth eggs (Fig. 5).

Ascariasis is one of the most common helminthiasis, in the formation of foci of which soil contamination with ascaris eggs is of primary importance. In 2002, 74,196 cases of ascariasis were identified, including 52,801 in children under 14 years of age; compared to 2001, the incidence increased by 3.5% and amounted to 217.7 per 100 thousand children.

The incidence of trichuriasis, with a clear downward trend over the last decade, in 2002 increased by 2.8% and amounted to 7.4 per 100 thousand children. Trichocephalosis is registered mainly in the Southern Federal District (Republic of Dagestan, Chechen Republic).

Enterobiasis still ranks first in terms of prevalence among other helminthiases. In 2002, 614,955 cases of the disease were registered among children, which amounted to 2535.5 per 100 thousand patients.

The maximum number of people infected with enterobiasis in 2002 was identified in the Siberian, Northwestern, Ural, Far Eastern, and Volga federal districts.

A feature of most helminthiasis is the chronic course of the disease, associated with the long-term presence of the pathogen in the body and repeated repeated infections. Helminth infections in children, as a rule, are accompanied by a variety of nonspecific clinical manifestations: weakness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, dyspeptic symptoms, slower growth and weight gain, and decreased immune status. The most important component of the pathology of helminth infections is the sensitizing effect of metabolic products and excretion of helminths, leading to the development of allergic reactions in the form of atopic dermatitis, asthmatic bronchitis, rhinitis, blepharitis, etc.

A selective analysis of the results of clinical examination of 520 children, carried out in the Sverdlovsk region of Perm in 2002, showed that ascariasis was detected in 1.35%, and enterobiasis in 5.8% of those examined. At the same time, on average, the number of health problems per child in children with enterobiasis in the group of preschoolers was 2.5, and in schoolchildren - 2.9. More often than others, diseases of the genitourinary system (in girls), allergic dermatitis, anemia, vegetative dystonia syndrome, neuropathic conditions and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract were noted. Of the diseases diagnosed in children with ascariasis, the most common were vegetative dystonia syndrome, functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pneumonia, and allergic dermatitis. Among children with ascariasis, the incidence rate per child averaged 2.0. In the control group, which included children without parasitic diseases (37 people), the average number of health problems was significantly lower than among those infected with ascariasis and enterobiasis, and amounted to 0.2. Thus, the presence of ascariasis and enterobiasis leads to a deterioration in the general health of children. At the same time, children with various underlying diseases that lead to weakening of the body are more often infected with them.

Let us dwell in more detail on the importance of the most common helminthiasis in the development of pathology in children - ascariasis and enterobiasis [1, 3].

Ascariasis. The development of the causative agent of ascariasis (Fig. 2, 3) in the human body occurs with the migration of larvae emerging from the eggs along the bloodstream through the lungs; the larvae are then swallowed with sputum and develop into adults in the intestine. The lifespan of roundworm in the human body is several months. Ascariasis has a significant impact on the quality of nutrition and immunological mechanisms in children. Ascaris allergen is the most powerful of allergens of parasitic origin. It can cause reactions in the lungs, skin, conjunctiva, and gastrointestinal tract. Allergic reactions can be so severe that they often pose a threat to the child’s life.

The immunosuppressive effect of roundworms is due to the lack of effect of vaccination and revaccination against measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and polioviruses in children.

The leading mechanisms of pathogenesis of the migratory stage of ascariasis are the traumatic effect of larvae and sensitization by parasitic antigens. In this case, 2 main types of lesions occur in different organs and tissues.

• The traumatic effect of migrating larvae in organs and tissues along the migration route. At the beginning of migration, the larvae are still small (no more than 0.5 mm long) and cause limited hemorrhages in the wall of the small intestine and in the liver. By the end of migration, the larvae reach 2 mm in size and, penetrating into the alveoli and bronchioles, and then into the bronchi, cause more significant hemorrhages.
• Eosinophilic inflammation of the tissues in which the larvae develop. The tissue phase of ascariasis occurs during the migration of ascaris larvae to the liver and lungs. The metabolites released in this process cause serious immunological changes and inflammatory reactions. In the migration phase, ascariasis can cause hepatomegaly and asthmatic syndrome. In this case, the clinical picture resembles respiratory allergosis.

In the intestinal phase of ascariasis, important pathogenetic factors are the ability of roundworms, reaching a length of 20–40 cm, to spiral forward movements and the desire to penetrate small openings (Vater's nipple, drainage tubes, etc.). The presence of invasion leads to hypertrophy of the muscular layers of the intestinal wall, a decrease in the depth of the crypts, changes in the chemical composition of the intestinal contents, and disruption of the motor-secretory function of the stomach and intestines. Roundworms secrete inhibitors of trypsin and chemotrypsin, as a result of which the absorption of nutrients, proteins, and fats worsens. With ascariasis, functional deficiency of pyridoxine develops, the level of retinol and ascorbic acid decreases, and lactase tolerance decreases. Ascariasis is usually accompanied by intestinal dysbiosis.

Often symptoms of the intestinal phase of ascariasis are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, poor sleep, and abdominal pain. An increased level of eosinophils in the peripheral bloodstream is characteristic of the migratory phase of ascariasis.

Complications of the intestinal phase of ascariasis: intestinal obstruction caused by a ball of adult roundworms; peritonitis due to perforation of the intestinal wall or penetration of roundworms into the abdominal cavity through a surgical suture; obstructive jaundice during migration of helminths into the common bile duct; blockage of the pancreatic ducts; asphyxia due to the migration of roundworms into the upper respiratory tract.

Enterobiasis. The development of the enterobiasis pathogen (Fig. 1) in the human body occurs within the gastrointestinal tract. The larvae emerge from the eggs (Fig. 4) and, on average, develop into adults within 2 weeks, which parasitize the lower parts of the small intestine and the upper parts of the large intestine. The lifespan of pinworms can reach 100 days, and the state of infestation in children due to repeated infections can last much longer.

Inflammatory reactions during enterobiasis develop under the influence of larvae, which produce hyaluronidase, proteolytic enzymes, lectin-like substances that promote the activation of the complement system, the release of prostaglandins by the cells of the host tissues surrounding the helminth [1, 2, 3].

With enterobiasis, the processes of absorption and digestion of food products are disrupted. In 30–40% of infected people, the acidity of gastric juice decreases, up to anacidosis and inhibition of pepsin-forming function. In most children, the intestinal microbiocenosis changes. Impaired absorption and digestion of nutrients in the intestines lead to weight loss and delay the growth and development of the child.

An additional factor in the pathogenesis of enterobiasis is the mechanical effect of pinworms in the intestines, leading to pinpoint hemorrhages, erosions, and penetration of bacterial flora, in particular pathogens of intestinal infections.

A striking symptom of enterobiasis is perianal itching, which occurs when the female moves during oviposition (Fig. 6). Severe itching occurs, as a rule, during sleep, more often at night, from 23.00 to 1.00 am. It is at this time that helminths can, remaining unnoticed, lay eggs that will mature to the invasive, contagious stage by the morning. Despite its apparent harmlessness, perianal itching is difficult for children to tolerate and can persist for quite a long time after enterobiasis is cured as a result of the formation of a persistent focus of excitation in the cerebral cortex. Complications that arise as a result of perianal itching are skin damage when scratching, perianal pruritis, eczema, weeping dermatitis. The etiological agent of the inflammatory process is most often streptococci.

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of enterobiasis. Pain of a transient nature is observed in the majority of infected people. Sometimes acute abdominal pain may be the reason to seek surgical help. In such cases, it is often not possible to detect a specific pathology; only the accumulation of gases is detected.

In recent years, the number of cases of the formation of perianal granulomas or abscesses in children, inside which female pinworms or helminth eggs were found, has increased. In this regard, it is advisable to screen all children with these conditions for enterobiasis.

In many cases, enterobiasis occurs over a long period of time and is repeated many times. As a result, the intestinal biocenosis is disrupted and the antagonistic properties of the intestinal microflora in relation to pathogens of acute intestinal infections are reduced. In the majority of infected children, the number of E. coli decreases and the proportion of lactonegative intestinal flora increases. The activity of enterokinase and alkaline phosphatase in feces increases. Since the intestinal microflora is one of the factors that supports the activity of intestinal enzymes, disturbances in the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients that develop as a result of enterobiasis lead to loss of body weight and retard the growth and development of the child. Pinworms have a mechanical effect on the intestinal mucosa, which leads to pinpoint hemorrhages, erosions, and penetration of bacterial flora, in particular pathogens of intestinal infections. The antagonistic properties of the flora in relation to the causative agents of typhoid fever and other intestinal infections are reduced [1, 3].

If pinworms migrate into the abdominal cavity, urinary and genital tracts, inflammatory and allergic reactions outside the intestine may develop.

One of the common complications of enterobiasis is vulvovaginitis due to the penetration of pinworms into the genital tract and the addition of bacterial infections. If vulvovaginitis develops in a girl, a parasitological examination for enterobiasis should be prescribed and, if the result is positive, this invasion should be treated with simultaneous bacteriological examination and, if necessary, antibacterial therapy.

Against the background of enterobiasis, children often develop urinary tract infections, especially girls, since enterobiasis is a factor predisposing to the development of this complication.

Parasitism by pinworms in children leads to suppression of nonspecific immunity, manifested by a decrease in the level of interferon a in the blood serum. A decrease in the nonspecific resistance of the child’s body leads to an increase in the incidence of viral and bacterial infections.

The presence of enterobiasis leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of preventive vaccinations. The immune layer against diphtheria was initially lower among children infected with pinworms. Protective immunity does not develop during primary vaccination against this dangerous infection, and during revaccination in many cases there is no immune response. It is difficult to develop immunity when vaccinated against measles and tetanus, so to increase the effectiveness of vaccinations, you first need to make sure that the child’s body is free from helminthiasis pathogens.

In children with allergic diseases, enterobiasis develops much more often. Due to the relatively high probability of detecting enterobiasis in children with allergic diseases, patients in this group should be recommended to be examined for enterobiasis and deworming if infestation is detected.

Enterobiasis negatively affects the neuropsychic development of children. This invasion leads to a lag behind the corresponding age norms. Among those infected with enterobiasis, there is a high percentage of irritable children, with a disruption in the process of falling asleep, and with negative habits (biting nails, sucking fingers, etc.).

With enterobiasis in children, the level of copper, zinc and magnesium in the blood decreases significantly. Since the lack of these microelements can negatively affect the physical and mental development of children, their loss should be compensated by introducing certain foods into the child’s diet, prescribing medications (or nutritional supplements) until these indicators are normalized after enterobiasis is cured.

Main indications for examination for helminth infections:

• stomach ache;
• frequent nausea, vomiting;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• fatigue, irritability, restless sleep, grinding teeth in sleep;
• allergic conditions;
• perianal itching (enterobiasis);
• vulvovaginitis (enterobiasis);
• urinary tract infections (enterobiasis);
• increased level of eosinophils in the blood;
• retardation in height, weight;
• untidiness.

The diagnosis of enterobiasis and ascariasis is made only upon receipt of positive results from a laboratory parasitological examination of the patient. If enterobiasis is suspected, a perianal scraping (imprint) is examined, and fecal samples are examined for ascariasis. On the laboratory referral form, you should indicate what kind of helminthiasis the doctor suspects in the child. The choice of the most effective research method by laboratory specialists will depend on this.

Treatment of ascariasis and enterobiasis

The search for remedies for the treatment of helminthiases, including enterobiasis and ascariasis, began many centuries ago. To expel pinworms, Ibn Sina recommended taking elecampane and celandine with sugar, washing them down with water. The medicine for expelling worms (“killing worms”), indicated in the Ebers Papyrus, contains, among other components, date seeds and the plant disart, sweet beer. The Salerno Health Code, which dates back to the early 16th century, recommends another remedy: mint [3].

The modern arsenal of drugs used to treat intestinal helminthiases includes a significant number of drugs of various chemical classes. They are used both in clinical practice for the treatment of identified patients or parasite carriers, and for the purpose of mass prevention.

The Russian pharmaceutical market currently offers several anthelmintic drugs that act on the causative agents of ascariasis and enterobiasis (Table 1).

The most effective drugs for the treatment of enterobiasis and ascariasis are derivatives of carbamate benzimidazole (mebendazole, medamine) and tetrahydropyrimidine (pyrantel). In addition to the ability to influence mature forms of helminths, they are distinguished by high ovicidal and larvicidal activity. Drugs of these pharmacotherapeutic groups disrupt oxidative processes, inhibit glucose transport in helminths, act on the muscles of intestinal nematodes by depolarizing their neuromuscular junctions and block the action of cholinesterase.

The effectiveness of medicines used to treat enterobiasis and ascariasis is very high, the method of administration is very simple and is designed primarily for children. It is very important that as a result of their intake, the process of releasing the pathogen into the environment is not activated. Thus, during treatment the person does not become more dangerous to others. However, pinworm eggs that have already entered the environment, in particular indoors, persist for a long time - more than 2 weeks. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat the treatment of enterobiasis after 2-3 weeks at the same dose in case hygienic measures were not effective enough. For the same reason, simultaneously with the treatment of infested people, everything possible must be done to clear the premises of pathogens.

For many years, pyrantel has been used throughout the world to treat ascariasis and enterobiasis, and has gained popularity among pediatricians and patients. According to recommendations developed in the USA (Medical Letter, 2002), pyrantel is considered a first-line drug for the treatment of enterobiasis in children and adults.

The anthelmintic effect of pyrantel pamoate is associated with a stimulating effect on the H-cholinergic receptors of the ganglion synapses of helminths, leading to spastic paralysis and their subsequent expulsion from the human body. Clinical trials of the effectiveness and tolerability of pyrantel showed its high medicinal activity against enterobiasis and ascariasis - 94-100%, as well as good tolerability [1, 3].

Pyrantel for the treatment of enterobiasis is prescribed at a rate of 10 mg/kg per day once during or after meals. For the treatment of ascariasis, pyrantel is prescribed at a dose of 5 mg/kg once. The drug is well tolerated by children; in some cases, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain may develop; very rarely, a transient increase in the activity of liver transaminases, headache, dizziness, and sleep disturbances may occur. Pyrantel is contraindicated in children with liver disease.

We have extensive experience in treating enterobiasis in children with the drug Pyrantel (tablets, suspension). Pyrantel is well known on the world market of anthelmintic drugs and is widely used for the treatment of enterobiasis in Russia by many generations of doctors. In our opinion, this drug has a number of advantages compared to other anthelmintic drugs. Firstly, the drug in the form of a suspension is easy to give to children, secondly, Pyrantel has a pleasant peach taste, as a result of which the child does not experience negative emotions during treatment, and, finally, thirdly, Pyrantel has a reasonable price and is widely sold in pharmacies. The bottle is equipped with a measuring spoon with a division scale of 2.5 and 5.0 ml, which makes it easy to dose the drug depending on the body weight of the infected child (or adult). Pyrantel suspension can be used in children from 6 months of age.

Along with pyrantel, mebendazole and medamine have a good anthelmintic effect against enterobiasis and ascariasis.

Mebendazole (Vermox) for the treatment of enterobiasis is prescribed to children 2–5 years old at the rate of 5 mg/kg per day, over 5 years old - 100 mg per day. For the treatment of ascariasis in children 2–5 years of age, the drug is prescribed at a dose of 5 mg/kg in 2 doses per day for 3 days; for children over 5 years of age, mebendazole is prescribed at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day in 2 doses for 3 days.

Mebendazole is not recommended for use in the first trimester of pregnancy. It must be remembered that the drug is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age. Side effects of mebendazole include abdominal pain and loose stools.

Medamine (2-medoxycarbanylamino-benzimidazole) is close in chemical structure and spectrum of anthelmintic action to mebendazole. For the treatment of enterobiasis, it is prescribed at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day in 2-3 doses (simultaneous administration is also possible) after eating a small amount of food; it is recommended to chew the tablets and wash them down with water. For the treatment of ascariasis, medamine is prescribed in the same doses for 3 days.

Side effects of medamine include nausea and weakness. In case of allergic manifestations, the drug is discontinued. Medamin is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy.

To restore the microbiocenosis of the colon in patients with intestinal nematodes, including enterobiasis and ascariasis, and to increase the effectiveness of specific therapy, it is recommended to prescribe bificol, milk bifidum-bacterin. Food products and medicinal plants that can be used for the treatment and prevention of enterobiasis have long been known. Carrots and carrot juice have a good anthelmintic effect. You can also use the anthelmintic activity of walnuts, wild strawberries, pomegranate (especially pomegranate juice), garlic and lovage.

Among the medicinal plants, St. John's wort is used in the form of decoctions and infusions, tea, as well as elecampane (Inula helenicum). The effectiveness of herbal medicine for enterobiasis is low, but the introduction of foods with anthelmintic effects into the diet is a good measure for the prevention of enterobiasis and enhances the effect of medications prescribed by a doctor.

The criteria for the effectiveness of treatment of helminthiases are a negative result of a control parasitological study of fecal samples (for ascariasis) and a perianal scraping or print (for enterobiasis), as well as the disappearance of clinical symptoms of invasion.

Prevention of helminthiases

Features of the prevention of helminthiases depend on the characteristics of their epidemiology. With enterobiasis and ascariasis, the only source of infection is humans. Infection occurs when mature infective helminth eggs are ingested. However, the epidemiology of these helminthiases is otherwise very different. Pinworm eggs mature indoors and on the human body within a few hours and last on average up to 1 month on various household items. Ascaris eggs mature when dropped into the soil within several months and remain there for up to 10 years or more. Enterobiasis is transmitted indoors from one person to another mainly through dirty hands, bed and underwear, toys, dishes and other household items contaminated with pinworm eggs.

A person becomes infected with ascariasis by ingesting soil particles containing invasive roundworm eggs (with unwashed vegetables, herbs, and fruits). The risk of infection (in the case of ascariasis) increases if a child has such a bad habit as geophagy (tasting or eating earth, sand, clay), which occurs quite often (in 3-10% of children under 7 years of age).

Prevention of enterobiasis and ascariasis is the most important task of medical and educational institutions and parents. It can be solved by simultaneously implementing a set of measures, the main components of which are the identification and treatment of infected people and sanitary and hygienic measures. Prevention of ascariasis, enterobiasis and other helminth infections in the Russian Federation is regulated by new sanitary standards and rules approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation in 2003.

For questions regarding literature, please contact the editor.

T. I. Avdyukhina, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor T. N. Konstantinova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor M. N. Prokosheva RMAPO, Moscow Children's Clinical Hospital named after. P. I. Pichugina, Perm