Prevention of parasitic infections

Looking at unpleasant images of parasites on the Internet and in magazines, many people think that this problem will definitely not affect them.But that's not true, anyone can be infected with parasites!It has been proven that throughout life, almost every person at least once became "home" to helminths and protozoa.

So what?The solution to the problem is effective prevention, which we will discuss in this article.

About parasites in facts and figures

Despite the development of modern medicine, the prevention of parasitic diseases remains relevant today.The need for preventive measures is proven by the following data and facts:

1. According to WHO, there are more than 4.5 billion people in the world suffering from parasitic diseases.Parasites cause 16 million deaths each year.
2. In Europe, every third resident is affected by parasitic infections.
3. More than 70% of people in our country are infected with toxoplasma - a parasite that can cause vision loss and neurological disorders.
4. Every year, at least 20% of children studying at educational institutions suffer from helminths.
5. A person can be attacked simultaneously by up to 15 species of protozoa and more than 250 different species of worms.Helminth diseases account for about 89% of all parasitic infections.

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

What are the types of parasites?

There are many parasitic diseases.The most popular of them include:

• helminth disease- diseases caused by parasites that spend one of their life cycles in the soil.The eggs of these parasites can survive in the ground for up to 7 years, survive severe frosts, and remain invasive;
• wild animals- parasitic infestation affects both humans and animals;
• pure humanity- a disease characteristic of humans.

Separately among parasitic infections, infectious diseases are distinguished, in which parasites can be transmitted from person to person.

How can a person become infected with parasites?

Sources of parasitic diseases can be:

• household appliances in apartments, public places, vehicles;
• food - washed vegetables, fruits, raw or incompletely processed meat and fish.Parasitic infections are especially common in the summer, when we enrich the diet with vitamins: fresh berries, vegetables, herbs.These products may contain soil particles and therefore parasite eggs;
• Tap water, river and lake water.When swimming in ponds, parasites can enter the human body through the skin and mucous membranes from drinking water;
• pets.All pet owners are at high risk of being infected with wildlife diseases;
• Children's sandbox.For example, a children's sandbox may contain animal feces, which means there is a possibility of helminth infection.

A common cause of parasitic infections is poor personal hygiene.Infection can occur if you do not wash your hands after going to public places, going to the bathroom, handling money, gardening, preparing fish, meat or salad.

There are a number of professions where people, due to the nature of their activities, have a high chance of being infected with parasites.These professionals include plumbers, workers on livestock farms, agricultural businesses, the food industry and site cleaners.

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

Principles of parasite prevention at the societal level

In our country every year about 1 million patients with parasitic diseases are registered.In this regard, preventive measures have been developed to prevent the spread of parasitic diseases.Basic prevention principles include:

1. Detect and promptly treat patients with parasitic diseases.A person who is cured in time does not pose a threat to others.
2. Timely destruction of parasitic pathogens using disinfection and sterilization methods.This includes disinfection of wastewater, food and insecticides in public places.For example, treating mosquito resting areas can prevent diseases such as heartworm disease.
3. Protects the environment from contamination by substrates containing parasites.First of all, it is the timely disinfection of manure pits and preventing the use of fresh animal manure as fertilizer in agriculture.These requirements have been stipulated in law and require strict implementation.
4. Prevention of parasitic infections using chemotherapeutic agents.For example, when traveling to the tropics or to areas where malaria is endemic, anti-malarial medication is required.Such remedies prevent the development of malaria even when infection is possible.The same can be said about professional populations.During certain periods, prophylactic treatment for parasitic infections is recommended for workers on livestock farms and agricultural farms.
5. Immunoprophylactic treatment or vaccination of people in areas where the parasite develops.This measure is more concerned with preventing infection with protozoa than with helminths.
6. Improve the general hygiene culture of the people.

Personal parasite prevention measures

There is no miracle cure that can protect people from all parasitic infections.Prevention of parasitic infections is multifaceted and includes many aspects.Preventive measures depend on the type of parasite, its development cycle and how it enters the human body.

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

• Personal hygiene: wash hands thoroughly after going to public places, coming into contact with pets, and before eating;
• regularly wet wipe the apartment with disinfectant;
• Regularly boil bedding and underwear;
• Buy meat products in places where trading is allowed;
• Heat treatment sufficient for meat and fish, at least 30 minutes.Another effective way to combat parasites is to pre-freeze fish and meat;
• Thoroughly wash and process vegetables, fruits, and herbs with boiling water;
• drink bottled and boiled water;
• protect food from insects;
• Regular screening for parasites.

These plants can protect against parasitic diseases

An effective measure to prevent infections with helminths and protozoa is to enrich the diet with plants and spices that have anti-parasitic effects.Today, more than 50 plant species are known to have a detrimental effect on parasites:

• cactus roots.The plant is able to infect the nervous system of parasites and expel them from tissues and organs;
• marshmallow root.Acts on parasites living in blood and muscle tissue;
• basil leaves and stems.Basil's anti-parasitic effects are similar to marshmallows;
• Berries, stems, leaves, roots of strawberry plants.The plant is especially effective against parasites that attack the liver;
• carnation.The effectiveness of cloves against parasites has been known since ancient times.Cloves are effective in killing flatworms, tapeworms, roundworms and protozoa.In addition, it is effective against bacteria and viruses;
• pomegranate.Not only the pomegranate fruit but also the peel has anti-parasitic effects.Pomegranate peels can be used to make tea;
• Roots and flowers of the elecampane plant.They kill parasites that infect the digestive tract and nervous system.In addition, the plant also removes toxins from the body;
• the above-ground part of the oregano leaf, used to make tea.The plant has a detrimental effect on protozoa, fungi and opportunistic microorganisms;
• John's wort.Actively fights parasites living in the large intestine;
• ginger root.Able to expel parasites from the respiratory system and digestive tract.The plant not only has anti-parasitic properties but also has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects;
• fruits, seeds, flowers of honeysuckle.The plant expels parasites from the bronchopulmonary tree, urinary tract and gastrointestinal tract.In addition, it has anti-inflammatory effects;
• cardamom seeds.They have a powerful effect on the larval stages of parasites and protozoa, and also have an antifungal effect;
• Coriander seeds are a popular plant often used in salads.Good at repelling intestinal parasites;
• cinnamon.Does not lose antiparasitic properties even after heat treatment;
• nettle.Effective against parasites that affect the skin, intestines and respiratory organs;
• smell.It has a particularly detrimental effect on parasites of the respiratory and nervous systems;
• Roots, leaves, stems of common burdock.Helps eliminate parasites located in the bronchopulmonary tree and lymphatic system.

Watercress, red pepper, sesame, alfalfa, raspberries, juniper, birch, mint, wormwood, dandelion, parsley, calendula, chamomile, rhubarb, walnut leaves, fennel and garlic also have a detrimental effect on parasites.

Plants with anti-parasitic properties should only be used in prophylactic doses.For example, plants like St.John's wort, yarrow, and tansy in large quantities are toxic and overdose can be dangerous.If you are unsure about the safety of a particular plant, be sure to consult a professional.

Separately, it is worth studying the effects of garlic.Among folk remedies for treating parasites, garlic enemas occupy one of the first places.But in reality, this method is ineffective and very dangerous.Most parasites live in the small intestine, which is not affected by an enema.A possible complication after a garlic enema is burning of the intestinal lining.