Prevention of helminths - how immunity fights and what to do

Helminth preventionconsists of respecting strict hygiene rules. Many of us don't even realize that we are infected with many parasites. Fatigue, listlessness, headaches, and poor digestion are most often attributed to overwork or the quality of food. And not many people think that these symptoms can indicate a parasite infestation.

The worst part is that helminthiasis are hidden, slowly undermining our health. The risk group includes children, whose bodies are often defenseless against parasites. Therefore, it is so important to prevent worms in a natural way, with the help of immunity.

Helminths and damage to the body

Worm infestation in humans can be caused by more than 400 species of parasitic worms. Infection often occurs through contaminated food and water, less often helminths enter the body through the skin.

Depending on the routes of infection, the parasites are divided into 3 groups:

• biohelminths- through food (echinococcus, bovine tapeworm and pork);
• soil-transmitted helminths- with hands contaminated with feces, household objects, sometimes water (cheating, hookworm, roundworm);
• contact verse- with personal contact with an infected person, less often with auto-infection (pinworms, dwarf tapeworm).

Depending on the structure of the body, parasites are divided into the following types:

• round (nematodes);
• ribbon (cestodes);
• moats (have strong suction cups and a flat body).

The risk group includes children who attend preschools, agricultural workers, patients with immunodeficiencies, the elderly and the elderly. Pets can also present a risk of infection.

In adults, helminthiasis often develop in a latent (hidden) manner, have a prolonged course and are manifested by various clinical signs disguised as a different pathology. Children are characterized by an acute course with vivid symptoms, associated with the peculiarities of the immune system.

Helminths use the human body as a source of food, habitat, and reproduction. Instead, releasing the products of their vital activity, the worms cause systemic toxic damage to human organs and systems.

For example, hookworm larvae secrete an anticoagulant to maintain blood flow. It was estimated that A. duodenale alone causes 0. 2 ml of blood loss per day. For the loss of 5 ml of blood, the presence of 25 pieces of helminth in the body is enough. But generally there are many more. As a result, the infected person suffers from severe anemia.

According to numerous studies, helminthic invasions contribute to the more frequent development of somatic diseases, exacerbation of chronic pathologies, having a negative effect on the host's organism, in particular its immune system.

A feature of most helminthiasis is a chronic course associated with the prolonged presence of the pathogen in the body and repeated repeated infections. Helminthiasis in children is often accompanied by a variety of nonspecific symptoms: weakness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, dyspepsia, growth retardation and weight gain, and decreased immunity.

Diseases caused by helminths reduce the ability to work and worsen the quality of life.

The role of immunity against helminths

The immune system takes care of our health. It protects the body from the introduction of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately, immunity copes with the latter a little less well. This is especially true for children. The child's defenses are not sufficiently developed and helminthic invasions further weaken the body's resistance to infections. Therefore, the prevention of helminths in children is so important.

Antiparasitic immunity is similar to antibacterial immunity. Cellular and humoral bonds are involved in protection against helminths. The first barrier for intruders is the skin and mucous membranes. Most often, worms enter the body through the digestive tract. The mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines contains immune cells that trigger a cascade of reactions to reject the parasite and eliminate it from the body.

The problem is that helminths have their own defense mechanisms, which often allow them to easily pass the first barrier.

Immunity against helminths is divided into primary and secondary. Since the primary person is born, he or she is a genetically determined defense factor. The secondary is formed during life after infection and the production of specific antibodies against a particular type of parasite.

The recently discovered TSLP (Thymus Stromal Lymphopoietin) has aroused great interest among scientists. Due to its unique properties, the cytokine plays an important role in protecting the body against worms. Depending on the nature of the infection, TSLP may enhance or suppress defense responses regulated by two types of T cells.

The likelihood of infection largely depends on innate immunity and the health of the immune system as a whole, the effectiveness of which is always individual and depends on the type of worm.

The proper functioning of the immune system depends on our diet, if the body lacks the vitamins and minerals necessary to build immune cells, then the response to infections will be weak and the fight will end in defeat.

Immunity needs biologically active substances that reach us with food. In case of chronic stress or illness, it is imperative to support the immune system with vitamins and microelements, as the body uses all the nutrients to strengthen the nervous system, as well as herbs. And only in extreme cases resort to drug treatment.

How does immunity against worms work?

Primary helminth immunity can work in several ways:

1. The parasite adapts to the internal environment of the host organism, grows well, develops, multiplies. The immune response is minimal. In such cases, helminthiasis are long term, sometimes difficult. An example is the invasion of the dwarf tapeworm.
2. A moderate immune response appears when the helminth is introduced. This limits the fertility of the worm. Example, ascaris.
3. The defense reaction is well expressed, which blocks the full development of the parasite. The worm does not reach sexual maturity, but it can be harmful to health. The disease is short-lived or takes a latent (latent) course.
4. Effective primary immunity stops the introduction of parasites at the stage of the skin and mucous membranes. As a result, helminths do not enter internal organs and do not harm health.

Secondary immunity helps the body respond faster and more effectively to repeated helminthic invasions. This blocks the development of worms at the first stage of infection and reduces toxic effects. The protective reaction is based on the presence in the blood of antibodies (immunoglobulins) directed against this type of helminth.

The main links in the immune defense against parasitic invasion:

• the reaction of tissues of internal organs, which leads to isolation (formation of a capsule) and destruction of worms;
• production of class A and E immunoglobulins;
• changes in hormonal activity, especially on the part of estrogen, which is found in both the female and male body;
• hereditary factor (primary antiparasitic immunity).

An indicator of infection is a high content of eosinophils in the blood, which indicates an allergic reaction. The second important point is a sharp increase in the concentration of immunoglobulin E, provided that there is no food intolerance.

Important prevention rules

Immunity copes with the introduction of parasites in different ways, not always effectively enough. Our task is to help the body prevent the threat of alien invasion. Preventive measures must be followed at all times and without exception.

Parents should teach their child the rules of personal hygiene from an early age to minimize the risk of infection.

The preventive measures are simple and accessible to all, while allowing to totally (or almost) exclude the danger of helminthic invasion. Still, doctors recommend that at-risk groups perform additional prophylaxis with medication, even if all necessary measures are taken. Medicines are also taken as directed by a doctor if an infection is suspected or if worms are found during diagnosis.

Rules for the prevention of helminthiasis:

1. Buy meat and fish products in designated places. Sellers must have quality certificate and health certificate.
2. Cook food sufficiently. Observe the rules for salting, canning and pickling.
3. Drink boiled tap or filtered water.
4. Wash vegetables and fruits under running water before use. Greens can first be rinsed with soapy water and then rinsed with clean water. Strawberries are immersed in a 1% soda solution. After the berries are washed thoroughly with running water. Vegetables that are heavily contaminated with fertilizers are recommended to be soaked first in a weak iodine solution (not more than 0. 3%).
5. Observe the rules of personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet, outdoors, working in your garden plot, after each contact with animals, including pets.
6. Regularly clean the area with disinfectants, especially the bathrooms and the kitchen.
7. Deworm animals according to a veterinarian's schedule (usually 1 to 2 times a year).
8. In the event of enterobiasis, pay particular attention to hand and nail hygiene, wash the child in the evening and in the morning, each time change the underwear and bed linen, which are pre-ironed withiron. This prevents repeated self-infection.
9. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle to strengthen and maintain your immune system. A rational diet, regular physical activity, a correct response to stress and the rejection of bad habits will reduce the risk of parasitic infection.
10. Chemoprophylaxis 1 to 2 times a year according to the schedule prescribed by the doctor.

Medicines for worms are taken in pill form.It is a chemoprophylaxis aimed at destroying parasites that may have entered the body, but have not had time to cause a reaction from the internal organs.

They have an anthelmintic effectpumpkin seeds.Before eating, the seeds can be chopped and mixed with a little honey. The daily dosage for adults is 300 grams, for children, depending on age. Up to 4 years - 80 grams, up to 7 years - 100 grams, up to 10 years - 150 grams, up to 15 years - 200 grams. After 3 hours, a laxative is taken.

The prevention of helminthiases consists in strengthening the immune system, respecting the rules of personal hygiene and culinary treatment of products. By adhering to simple rules, we can protect ourselves against infection with worms. Annual chemoprophylaxis helps our immune system cope with foreign attacks.

Talk to your doctor before taking any anthelmintic medicine. The specialist will select the right remedy for you and give you recommendations on the treatment regimen. Uncontrolled reception can not only be unnecessary, but also harm your health. Remember this.

Herbs from worms are a great alternative to pills.