Helminth prevention: how it fights immunity and what we need to do

Helminth preventionconsists in observing strict hygiene rules. Many of us do not even realize that we are infected with many parasites. Fatigue, apathy, headaches and poor digestion are often attributed to overwork or the quality of food. And few people think these symptoms could indicate a parasite infestation.

The worst thing is that helminthiases hide, slowly undermining our health. The risk group includes children, whose bodies are often defenseless against parasites. Therefore, it is so important to prevent worms naturally, 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, parasites are divided into 3 groups:

• biohelminths- through food (echinococcus, bovine and porcine tapeworms);
• geohelminths- with hands contaminated with feces, household items, sometimes water (whipworms, hookworms, roundworms);
• contact worms- with personal contact with an infected person, less often with self-infection (pinworms, dwarf tapeworms).

According to the structure of the body, parasites are divided into the following types:

• round (nematodes);
• tape (cestodes);
• flukes (they have powerful suckers and a flat body).

The risk group includes children attending preschool institutions, agricultural workers, patients with immunodeficiencies, the elderly and the elderly. Pets can also be a risk of infection.

In adults, helminthiases often proceed latently (hidden), have a prolonged course and are manifested by various clinical signs masked by a different pathology. Children are characterized by an acute course with vivid symptoms, which is associated with the peculiarities of the immune system.

Helminths use the human body as a source of food, habitat and reproduction. Instead, by 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 has been estimated that A. duodenale alone causes 0. 2ml of blood loss per day. For the loss of 5 ml of blood, the presence of 25 pieces of helminths in the body is enough. But there are usually many more. As a result, the infected person has 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 body, including its immune system.

A feature of most helminthiases 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 non-specific 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 is on guard for our health. It protects the body from the introduction of viruses, bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately, immunity copes with the latter a little worse. This is especially true of children. The child's defenses are not sufficiently developed, and helminthic invasions further undermine the body's resistance to infections. Therefore, the prevention of helminths for children is so important.

Antiparasitic immunity is similar to antibacterial immunity. Both cellular and humoral connections are involved in helminth protection. The first barrier for intruders is the skin and mucous membranes. Most often, worms enter the body through the digestive tract. The lining of the stomach and intestines contains immune cells that trigger a cascade of reactions to repel the parasite and remove it from the body.

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

Immunity against helminths is divided into primary and secondary. Since the primary person is born, it 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, cytokine plays an important role in protecting the body from worms. Depending on the nature of the infection, TSLP can enhance or suppress the defense reactions regulated by two types of T lymphocytes.

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 nutrition, if the body lacks the vitamins and minerals necessary to build immune cells, then the response to infections will be weak and the struggle will end in defeat.

Immunity needs biologically active substances that come to 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 immunity against helminths 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, helminthiases are long-term, sometimes difficult. One example is the invasion of the dwarf tapeworm.
2. A moderate immune response appears to the introduction of the helminth. This limits the fertility of the worm. Example, roundworms.
3. Well expressed is the defense reaction, 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 into the stage of the skin and mucous membranes. As a result, helminths do not penetrate internal organs and do not harm health.

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

The main links of the immune defense against parasitic invasion:

• the reaction of the 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 by estrogen, which are 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 effective enough. Our job is to help the body prevent the threat of an alien invasion. Preventive measures must be followed at all times and without exception.

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

The preventive measures are simple and accessible to all, while allowing to completely (or almost completely) exclude the danger of helminthic invasion. However, doctors recommend that risk groups do additional drug prophylaxis, even if all necessary measures are taken. Medicines are also taken as directed by a doctor if an infection is suspected or worms are detected during diagnosis.

Rules for the prevention of helminthiasis:

1. Purchase meat and seafood products at designated locations. Sellers must have a quality certificate and a health certificate.
2. Cook the food sufficiently. Follow the rules of salting, canning and pickling.
3. Drink boiled or filtered tap water.
4. Wash fruit and vegetables under running water before use. The vegetables can first be rinsed with soapy water and then rinsed with clean water. Strawberries are dipped in a 1% soda solution. After the berries are thoroughly washed with running water. It is recommended to first soak heavily contaminated vegetables with fertilizers in a weak iodine solution (no more than 0. 3%).
5. Follow the rules of personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, outdoors, working in your garden, after any contact with animals, including pets.
6. Clean the area regularly with disinfectants, especially the bathrooms and the kitchen.
7. Deworm pets according to a veterinarian's schedule (usually 1-2 times a year).
8. In case of enterobiasis, pay particular attention to hand and nail hygiene, wash the child in the evening and in the morning, change underwear and bed linen every time, which are pre-stretched with an iron. This prevents repeated self-infection.
9. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle to strengthen and maintain the immune system. Rational nutrition, regular physical activity, a correct response to stress and the rejection of bad habits will reduce the risk of parasite infection.
10. Chemoprophylaxis 1-2 times a year according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor.

Medicines for worms are taken in pill form.This is chemoprophylaxis aimed at destroying parasites that may have entered the body, but have not had time to provoke 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 dose 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.

Prevention of helminthiasis consists in strengthening the immune system, observing the rules of personal hygiene and culinary processing of products. By adhering to simple rules, we can protect ourselves from worm infection. Annual chemoprophylaxis helps our immune system cope with external attacks.

Talk to your doctor before taking an anthelmintic drug. The specialist will select the right remedy for you and give recommendations on the treatment regimen. An uncontrolled reception can not only be useless, but also harm your health. Don't forget this.

A great alternative to pills are worm herbs.