To date, scientists know about 400 species of various helminths. They are able to parasitize almost all organs and systems of a person, causing a large number of diseases.
Worms are afraid of cleanliness, therefore, the main prevention is to observe basic rules of hygiene
According to statistics, parasites inhabit the body of one in four people on our planet, and almost everyone encounters a species at least once in their lifetime. The prevention of worms remains one of the most pressing problems in modern medicine. What means can be used to prevent the entry of parasites into the human body?
general informations
Depending on the means by which the prevention of helminthic diseases is carried out, it can be of the following types:
- non-drug;
- medicinal or traditional;
- folk remedies.
It is difficult to say which of these directions is optimal in the fight against worms. All of them complement each other, so that the best effect is only observed with an integrated approach.
Non-drug methods
By observing fairly simple rules, you can prevent the ingestion of invasive forms of worms into the body. The latter can enter the human body in the following ways:
- with food or dirty hands;
- by eating foods that have not undergone proper heat treatment;
- when you drink substandard water or water from unverified sources.
Several times a day, after going off the streets or interacting with animals, it is recommended to wash your hands with soap and water.
Therefore, the non-specific prevention of worms consists of the following points:
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- regular change of linen;
- timely cleaning in the house;
- proper handling of food before consumption;
- the use of water complying with sanitary and hygienic standards, coming only from reliable sources.
It is believed that the rules of personal hygiene are neglected by children. But this phenomenon is not uncommon in adults. Regular hand washing should be mandatory before eating, after using the toilet, when you come home from public places. Doorknobs, handrails, banknotes and all kinds of surfaces a person touches can be contaminated with parasite eggs.
They enter the body through the mouth. In this way, soil-transmitted helminths - roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, nekator, hookworm, intestinal eel. Biohelminths, which need an intermediate host to grow and reproduce, enter the body when they consume poor-quality heat-treated foods.
For an adult who actively consumes sushi, improperly processed salted and smoked fish, steaks with blood, the risk of tapeworm infection increases. They are considered the longest and most dangerous of all helminths that can inhabit the human body.
When traveling to exotic countries, you have to be extremely careful and careful. Use only bottled water for drinking. If this is not possible, water for drinking and cooking should be boiled. You can use special preparations designed for water purification. Wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly. When eating local dishes, you should choose those that have undergone a good heat treatment.
In a house where only adults live, wet cleaning should be done at least once a week, in a children's room - twice. Lint should be vacuumed, the rest should be washed with soapy water.
Animals should undergo periodic examinations by a veterinarian, followed by medication against worms. If the patient adheres to these recommendations, it is quite possible that he will not need treatment with pills.
Medical prevention
As for the prevention of worms with pharmacological drugs, scientists here have been divided into two large groups. The former believe that prophylaxis with pills is safe, effective and should be carried out regularly. This applies to both adults and children. The second group opposes the use of pills for prophylactic purposes. She believes that by using rather toxic drugs to prevent worms, a person harms their body more. This tactic is like firing a cannon at a flock of sparrows.
Since tablets against worms are still pharmacological agents, have certain indications and contraindications for use, and also have a number of side effects, they should be used only with a high probability of infestation byworms. It can be suspected in such cases:
- contact with an infected patient - at home, in kindergarten, at school;
- the presence of pets in the wild;
- the presence of clinical signs of the disease with negative laboratory test results.
The latter case deserves special attention. Very often, doctors, taking into account the patient's complaints, suspect that he has parasites, and the results of laboratory tests remain negative. In such cases, doctors recommend the so-called prophylactic treatment for worms. The main symptoms are:
- general weakness;
- faintness;
- irritability;
- sleep disorder;
- intellectual activity problems;
- skin manifestations of unknown origin;
- Iron deficiency.
The presence of a complex of these symptoms is an indication for the appointment of a traditional drug for the prevention of worms.
Folk ways
Traditional medicine also offers many prophylactic agents against helminths. Compared with traditional pill treatment, folk remedies for worms have a number of advantages. First of all, they are relatively safe for the human body. Prevention and treatment with folk remedies for worms are rarely accompanied by undesirable phenomena and usually give good results.
The relative low cost makes them available to the absolute majority of the population of our country, and their relative safety allows them to be used as prophylactic agents against worms.
Tansy has a paralyzing effect on worms. It is particularly effective as a prophylactic agent against pinworms and roundworms. These worms have no adaptation that would help them stay in the body. To prepare an infusion of tansy, pour a tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water, insist for an hour. After that, the infusion should be filtered and drunk in a course, a tablespoon three times a day, before meals.
Absinthe is effective against tapeworms, roundworms and lamblia. For treatment and prevention, alcohol tincture is used, which is taken 20 drops three times a day half an hour before meals.
Another effective remedy is pomegranate. The peel of a fruit is brewed with 0, 5 liters of boiling water. The resulting product should be drunk within 1. 5 hours. After 3 hours, you should take laxative tablets.
It is recommended to use birch tar as a prophylactic agent against lamblia. To do this, you need to drink it in a course of 14 days. On the first day, a drop of tar is dissolved in a spoonful of honey. Then one drop is added each day, bringing the number to eight. These courses can only take place once every six months.
Two tablespoons of pumpkin seeds should be mixed with lingonberry juice. The remedy should be drunk on an empty stomach, and after three hours take a laxative. It is used against roundworms and tapeworms.
Recomendations
Pills and folk remedies for the treatment of worms should be taken only under the supervision of specialists. The final decision on the suitability of prophylaxis against parasites should be made by the attending physician. He will inform you of the means against existing worms and help you choose the method that will be optimal in each case.