Preventing helminths - how immunity fights and what to do

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

The worst part is that helminthiases are hidden and are slowly eroding our health. The risk group includes children whose bodies are often defenseless against parasites. That is why it is so important to naturally prevent worms with the help of immunity.

Helminths and harm to the body

Worm infestation in humans can be caused by more than 400 species of parasitic worms. The infection often takes place through contaminated food and water, less often helminths penetrate the body through the skin.

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

• Biohelminths- through food (Echinococcus, beef and pork tapeworm);
• Geohelminths- with hands contaminated with feces, household items, sometimes water (whipworm, hookworm, roundworm);
• Contact worms- in the event of personal contact with an infected person, less often in the event of self-infection (pinworms, dwarf tapeworms).

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

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

The risk group includes children attending preschool institutions, farm workers, patients with immunodeficiency, the elderly and the elderly. Pets can also pose a risk of infection.

In adults, helminthiases often have a latent (hidden) course, have a protracted course and manifest themselves with various clinical symptoms, disguised as another 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, worms cause systemic toxic damage to human organs and systems by releasing the products of their vital activity.

For example, hookworm larvae secrete an anticoagulant to help keep blood flowing. It has been 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 helminths in the body is enough. But usually there are a lot more of them. As a result, the infected person has severe anemia.

According to numerous studies, helminth invasions contribute to the more frequent development of somatic diseases, exacerbation of chronic pathologies and negative effects on the host's body, including its immune system.

A feature of most helminthiasis is a chronic course, which is associated with a 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 disorders, dyspepsia, growth retardation and weight gain, and decreased immunity.

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

The role of immunity to 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 a little worse with the latter. This is especially true for children. The child's defenses are insufficiently developed and helminthic invasions further undermine the body's resistance to infection. This is why helminth prevention for children is so important.

Antiparasitic immunity is similar to antibacterial immunity. Both cellular and humoral connections are involved in protection from helminths. The first barrier to intruders is the skin and mucous membranes. More 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 that often allow them to easily cross the first barrier.

Immunity to helminths is divided into primary and secondary. Since the primary human is born, it is a genetically determined defense factor. Secondly, specific antibodies against a certain type of parasite are formed during life after infection and production.

The recently discovered TSLP (Thymus Stromal Lymphopoietin) aroused great interest among scientists. Because of its unique properties, the cytokine plays an important role in protecting the body from worms. Depending on the type of infection, TSLP can increase or suppress the defense reactions regulated by two types of T lymphocytes.

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

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

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

How does immunity to worms work?

Primary immunity to 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 dwarf tapeworms.
2. A moderate immune response appears to the introduction of the helminth. This limits the worm's fertility. Example roundworm.
3. The defense reaction is well developed, 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 has a 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 penetrate the internal organs and do not harm health.

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

The main connections of the immune defense against parasitic invasion:

• the reaction of tissues of the internal organs, which leads to the isolation (formation of a capsule) and destruction of worms;
• Production of Class A and E immunoglobulins;
• Changes in hormonal activity, especially estrogens, found in both female and male bodies;
• hereditary factor (antiparasitic primary immunity).

An indicator of infection is a high level 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 job is to help the body fight off the threat of an 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.

Preventive measures are simple and accessible to everyone, while you can completely (or almost completely) eliminate the risk of helminth invasion. Nevertheless, doctors recommend risk groups to carry out additional prophylaxis with medication, even if all necessary measures have been taken. Medicines are also taken as directed by a doctor if the diagnosis suspects infection or if worms are discovered.

Rules for the prevention of helminthiasis:

1. Buy meat and fish products from designated locations. Sellers must have a certificate of quality and a health certificate.
2. Cook enough food. Follow the rules of salting, canning, and pickling.
3. Drink boiled tap water or filtered water.
4. Wash vegetables and fruits under running water before use. Greens can be rinsed first in soapy water, and then in clean water. Strawberries are dipped in a 1% soda solution. After that, the berries are washed thoroughly with running water. In the case of vegetables that are heavily contaminated with fertilizers, it is recommended to first soak 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 toilet, outdoors, on your yard, after any contact with animals, including pets.
6. Regularly clean the area with disinfectant, especially the bathrooms and kitchen.
7. Deworm pets on a veterinarian's schedule (usually 1-2 times a year).
8. With enterobiasis, pay special attention to the hygiene of hands and nails, wash the child at night and in the morning, change each time underwear and bed linen, pre-ironed with an iron. This prevents repeated self-infection.
9. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle to strengthen and maintain your immune system. Eating a sensible diet, regular physical activity, responding properly to stress, and rejecting bad habits all reduce the risk of developing a parasite infection.
10. Chemoprophylaxis 1-2 times a year according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor.

Medicines for worms are taken in tablet 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 antihelminthic 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 their 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 following simple rules, we can protect ourselves from infection with worms. The annual chemoprophylaxis helps our immune system to cope with foreign attacks.

Talk to your doctor before taking any antihelminth medication. The specialist will select the remedy that is suitable for you and give recommendations on the treatment regimen. Uncontrolled reception can not only be useless, but also harm your health. Do not forget this.

An excellent alternative to pills are herbs made from worms.