How to Treat Intestinal Parasites in Toddlers

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a group of intestinal parasites known as protozoa is responsible for most intestinal parasitic infections in toddlers in the US. Giardia and cryptosporidium, the most common, are found in contaminated water and food, as well as in the stools of infected people. If your toddler likes to explore with his hands and frequently puts his fingers into his mouth, he can contract a parasitic infection when, for example, he touches a dirty diaper or a contaminated surface.

Instructions

• 1

  Identify signs and symptoms of an intestinal parasitic infection in your child. According to the Mayo Clinic, the primary symptom is watery, bad-smelling diarrhea that may look greasy. Your child may complain of fatigue, abdominal pain and bloating, and nausea.

• 2

  Consult your toddler's physician. If her symptoms go away in less than a week, she probably does not have a parasitic infection. Discuss with the pediatrician or with a nurse or physician's assistant on staff if you need help to distinguish between mild symptoms and those that warrant an office visit.

• 3

  Make an appointment with your child's doctor if symptoms continue. Be prepared with a clear description of the symptoms your child has, and how long he has had them.

• 4

  Follow the doctor's advice to obtain stool samples from your child. Generally you'll need to gather several specimens on different days. Bring the specimens to the lab right away.

• 5

  Follow up with your child's physician about the results. If tests identify an intestinal parasite, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic such as metronidazole or tinadazole. Follow dosing instructions that come with the medication, and make sure your child takes all prescribed doses.

• 6

  Monitor your child for complications of the infection. These may include dehydration, failure to thrive (if the infection is chronic), and skin rash.

• 7

  Eliminate future contact with parasites. According to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, your toddler can be re-infected if she touches a dirty diaper or stool containing parasites and then puts her hands into her mouth. Teach her to keep her hands out of her mouth, and reinforce good hand hygiene with hand-washing sessions throughout the day and after every bathroom visit. Wash or peel all fruits and vegetables before serving them to your child.