Prevention of parasitic infections

Looking at unpleasant pictures of parasites on the Internet and in magazines, many people think that this problem definitely does not affect them.But this is not the case, anyone can become infected with parasites!It has been proven that almost every person becomes a "home" for helminths and protozoa at least once during his life.

Then how?The solution to this problem is competent prevention, which is discussed in this article.

About parasites in facts and figures

Despite the development of modern medicine, the prevention of parasitosis is still relevant today.The following numbers and facts prove the need for preventive measures:

1. According to WHO data, more than 4.5 billion people in the world suffer from parasitosis.Parasites kill 16 million people every year.
2. In Europe, every third resident is affected by a parasitic infection.
3. More than 70% of people in our country are infected with toxoplasma - parasites that can cause vision loss and neurological disorders.
4. Every year, at least 20% of children attending educational institutions fall ill with helminthiasis.
5. A person can be attacked simultaneously by up to 15 species of protozoa and more than 250 different species of worms.Helminthiasis accounts for 89% of all parasitic infections.

Parasites can affect not only the digestive system, but also other vital organs - the heart, liver, kidneys and brain.They travel throughout the body and cause mechanical damage to organs and tissues, blockage of bile ducts and inflammatory processes.In addition, they can cause reduced immunity, allergic reactions and oncology.

What are the types of parasitosis?

There are many parasitic diseases.The most common of them are:

• geohelminthiasis- diseases caused by parasites that spend their life cycle in the soil.The eggs of these parasites can survive in the soil for up to 7 years, survive severe frosts and remain invasive;
• zooanthroponoses— parasitic infections affecting both humans and animals;
• pure anthroponoses- diseases characteristic only of humans.

Among parasitic infections, infectious diseases are distinguished separately, in which parasites can spread from person to person.

How can a person become infected with parasites?

Sources of parasitic diseases can be:

• household items in the apartment, in public places, in transport;
• food - poorly washed vegetables, fruits, raw or improperly processed meat, fish.Infection with parasites is especially common in summer, when we enrich the diet with vitamins: fresh berries, vegetables, herbs.These products may contain soil particles, including parasite eggs;
• tap water, water from rivers and lakes.During swimming in the lake, parasites can enter the human body through the skin and mucous membrane, as a result of swallowing water;
• pets.All pet owners are highly likely to become infected with zooanthroponosis;
• children's sandboxes.For example, children's sandboxes may contain animal feces, which means there is a possibility of worm infestation.

A common cause of parasite infection is a lack of personal hygiene.Infection can occur if you do not wash your hands after visiting a public place, using the toilet, handling money, working in the garden, preparing fish, meat or salad.

There are many professions where people are highly likely to be infected with parasites due to the nature of their activities.These professionals include plumbers, livestock farm workers, agricultural businesses, the food industry, and grounds cleaners.

There are also parasites that are carried by insects.For example flies, mosquitoes.

The principles of parasite prevention at the social level

About 1 million patients with parasitic diseases are registered in our country every year.In this regard, preventive measures have been developed to prevent the spread of parasitosis.The basic principles of prevention are as follows:

1. Timely identification and treatment of patients with parasitosis.A person who recovers in time does not pose a danger to others.
2. Timely destruction of the pathogens of parasitic infections by disinfection and disinfection methods.This includes the disinfection of sewage, food, and the treatment of insects in public places.For example, treating mosquito resting places can prevent diseases such as heartworm disease.
3. Protection of the environment from contamination by substrates containing parasites.First of all, this is the timely disinfection of cesspools and the prevention of the use of fresh animal excrement as agricultural fertilizer.These requirements are set by law and require strict enforcement.
4. Prevention of parasitic infections with chemotherapeutic agents.For example, if you travel to the tropics or places where malaria is endemic, antimalarial drugs should be used.Such remedies prevent the development of malaria even in case of possible infection.The same can be said about the professional groups of the population.In certain periods, chemoprophylaxis of parasitic infections is recommended for those working on livestock farms and agricultural farms.
5. Immunoprophylaxis or immunization of the population at the site of the development of parasitic infections.This measure refers to the prevention of protozoan infection rather than helminthiasis.
6. Improving the general health culture of the population.

Personal antiparasitic measures

There is no magic potion that can protect a person from all parasitic infections.The prevention of parasitic infection is multifaceted and involves many aspects.Preventive measures depend on the type of parasite, its development cycle and its penetration into the human body.

However, we can highlight basic rules that can reduce the risk of developing parasitosis:

• personal hygiene: thorough hand washing before visiting public places, contact with pets, before eating;
• regular wet cleaning of the apartment with disinfectants;
• regular boiling of bed linen and underwear;
• purchase of meat products in authorized commercial places;
• sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish, which must be at least 30 minutes.Another effective way to fight parasites is to pre-freeze fish and meat;
• thoroughly washing and treating vegetables, fruits and herbs with boiling water;
• drinking bottled and boiled water;
• protecting food from insects;
• regular parasite screening.

Plants that can defend against the parasite

An effective measure to prevent worm and protozoan infection is to enrich the diet with anti-parasitic plants and spices.Today, more than 50 plant species are known to have a harmful effect on parasites:

• calamus roots.The plant is capable of infecting the nervous system of parasites and expelling them from tissues and organs;
• marshmallow roots.It affects parasites living in blood and muscle tissue;
• basil leaves and stems.The anti-parasitic effect of basil is similar to that of marshmallow;
• berries, stems, leaves, barberry roots.The plant is particularly effective against parasites attacking the liver;
• carnation.The effectiveness of cloves against parasites has been known since ancient times.Cloves are destructive to flatworms, tapeworms, roundworms and protozoa.It is also effective against bacteria and viruses;
• pomegranate.Not only the fruits of the pomegranate, but also the peel has an anti-parasitic effect.Pomegranate peel can be used to make tea;
• elecampane roots, flowers.They destroy parasites that infect the digestive system and the nervous system.In addition, the plant removes toxins from the body;
• the above-ground part of oregano used to make teas.The plant has a harmful effect on protozoa, fungi and opportunistic microorganisms;
• St. John's wort.Actively fights luminal parasites living in the interstitial space of the large intestine;
• ginger roots.It is able to expel parasites from the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract.The plant not only has anti-parasitic, but also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties;
• fruits, seeds, flowers of viburnum.The plant expels parasites from the bronchopulmonary tree, the urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts.It also has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• cardamom seeds.They have a strong effect on the larval stages of parasites and protozoa and have an antifungal effect;
• Coriander seed (coriander) is a common herb often used in salads.Removes intestinal parasites well;
• cinnamon.It does not lose its antiparasitic properties even after heat treatment;
• nettle.Effective against parasites affecting the skin, intestines and respiratory organs;
• incense.It has a particularly harmful effect on parasites of the respiratory system and the nervous system;
• the roots, leaves and stems of common burdock.It helps to eliminate parasites in the bronchopulmonary tree and the lymphatic system.

Watercress, peppers, sesame, alfalfa, raspberries, juniper, birch, mint, wormwood, dandelion, parsley, tansy, chamomile, rhubarb, walnut leaves, fennel and garlic also have a harmful effect on parasites.

Plants with anti-parasitic properties should only be used in prophylactic doses.For example, plants such as St. John's wort, yarrow, and tansy are poisonous in large quantities and dangerous in overdose.If you are not sure about the safety of a given plant, be sure to consult a specialist.

It is worth considering the effect of garlic.Among the folk remedies against parasites, the garlic enema takes first place.But in fact this method is ineffective and very dangerous.Most parasites live in the small intestine, which is not affected by the enema.A possible complication after a garlic enema is a burn of the intestinal mucosa.