Prevention of parasites is a necessary measure, since a person is constantly in an environment where there are many harmful microorganisms. It must be approached thoroughly, without choosing drugs or folk remedies without consulting a doctor. Some drugs have strong side effects and contraindications that the patient may not be aware of.
Sources of infection
Underlying parasite prevention is an understanding of how these harmful organisms enter the human body.
The most common sources of infection include:
- Water. It creates all the necessary conditions for the maturation of eggs of protozoa (giardia, etc.) and some types of worms. Therefore, drinking raw water, including from lakes and rivers, is risky.
- Meat. In order to prevent parasites, you should not eat this product without heat treatment. Raw convenience foods may also contain larvae. To avoid infection, the meat must be cooked or fried.
- Insects. At certain stages, parasites can develop in the bodies of bloodsucking. Flies are also carriers of worm larvae. To prevent insect bites, you need to use personal protective equipment. This rule is especially true during outdoor recreation during the hot season.
- Street animals and pets. Their coat often contains parasite eggs. Feces from animals that have been infected can also be a source of spread. They fall on the beds in the grass and ponds. For this reason, children and adults after staying in the yard or in nature need to wash their hands thoroughly, always using soap.
- Vegetables and fruits. They must be washed, regardless of whether they were bought or assembled on a home garden. You need to understand that parasites can be on any greenery and berries. To enhance the preventive effect, such products should be doused with boiling water.
- Fish. In most cases, freshwater species are carriers of worms. For this reason, fish should not only be washed, but also doused with boiling water.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that the prevention of parasites is most relevant in the warm season - most cases of infection are recorded during this period.
Basic methods
If you do not follow the basic rules, then only tablets will not be able to provide full protection. Prevention of parasites in the human body is inevitably associated with the following recommendations:
- foods such as garlic and pumpkin seeds should be included in the daily diet;
- while working in the garden you must use gloves;
- wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling animals, the toilet, and always before eating;
- eat as little yeast-based pastries as possible and limit the consumption of sweets;
- Do not swim in bodies of water with stagnant water or drink raw water;
- buy meat and fish only at points that specialize in selling these products;
- periodically wash things at high temperature and wash all children's toys;
- prevent accumulation of dirt and dust in the room (constantly air the rooms and carry out wet cleaning);
- do not allow children to touch street animals;
- each year to process carpets and upholstered furniture with the help of special parasite products;
- de-worming pets.
If signs of infection with parasites become noticeable, then you do not need to deal with the treatment yourself - you need to see a doctor.
When to use parasite prophylaxis
Drinking tablets to neutralize helminths and other harmful organisms is necessary, but only after consulting a doctor.
Unfortunately, some citizens do not see the need to visit a specialist and, in principle, raise the topic of the use of drugs for parasites. Not everyone perceives prevention as something important.
For this reason, it is worth deciding when or after which you need to go to the doctor and buy pills:
- Constant work with the earth. Those who are in the garden for a long time, periodically need to carry out diagnostics and apply the preventive measures indicated by the doctor.
- Disease of one of the family members. In this case, tablets for the prevention of parasites need to be drunk to everyone who lives in the same apartment / house with the infected.
- Recovery after treatment for helminths. During this period, it is highly likely that the infection will recur. It is possible that after completion of therapy, parasite larvae remained in the patient's body. In this case, preventive measures are necessary to consolidate the therapeutic effect.
- Pets. If there are animals in the house that are often on the street, it is advisable to periodically use anti-helminth drugs.
- Regular visits to other countries. When a person often visits places with an unusual climate and diet, the risk of infection increases significantly.
- When symptoms appear. This is a situation where signs of infection become noticeable, but the diagnosis does not give accurate results or does not confirm the presence of parasites in the body. Prevention measures (medications approved by the doctor) are highly desirable in this case.
- Children in constant contact with people. If the child often travels by public transport, goes to school or kindergarten, then he needs to periodically take anthelmintic drugs.
- Stay near ponds. Fans of fishing and beach holidays inevitably come into contact with an environment favorable for parasites. For this reason, such people should periodically undergo a course of prevention of worms.
What to give to children
Prevention from parasites in the body of children and adolescents should take place correctly. Therefore, you need to visit a parasitologist. It is he who will be able to accurately determine the essence of the problem and prescribe effective, and most importantly, safe drugs.
With the independent selection of medicines, medications can be used that will lead to poisoning of the child's body.
When it comes to a child, in most cases, the prevention of parasite infection comes down to the use of suspensions and syrups. It is in this form that anthelmintic drugs for children are sold. The most common are Levamisole and Vermox.
Albendazole
Understanding the methods for the prevention of parasites in the human body, this drug must be given attention without fail.
"Albendazole" is on the list of the most popular drugs that help neutralize the effects of parasitic infestation. It may have other names - “Vormil” and “Nemozol”.
This drug is manufactured by an Indian company, and therefore it costs more than domestic counterparts.
The most effective "Albendazole" in the fight against worms belonging to the group of flukes and nematodes. This tool destroys both adult organisms and the eggs that they managed to lay.
To prevent infection with parasites, one tablet will suffice. Reuse of the drug is allowed at least a month later.
Take this remedy during lactation and pregnancy is highly not recommended.
"Pirantel"
The difference between this drug is its safety, including for children. But it is worth considering the fact that it is contraindicated in people with chronic liver and kidney failure.
"Pirantel" has established itself as a good tool for the destruction of roundworms. After ingestion, it dissolves and enters the parasite. As a result, helminths completely lose their ability to move. But the maximum effect is possible only when exposed to adults.
This means that after the first use of this medication for parasites, prevention will be required again - after two weeks.
It is also important to know about the side effects of this medication: its use can cause allergies and diarrhea. But if the dose was not exceeded, then the negative effect will not be strong.
Helminthox
The use of this tool is relevant when a broad action is needed. This is explained by the fact that Helminthox can neutralize more than 15 types of worms.
For the prevention of parasites in a person in adulthood, one tablet will suffice. Repeated admission is acceptable after 14 days. At the same time, eating food will not affect the level of effectiveness of the drug.
Those who have liver problems should not rush with the use of this drug. It is better to consult a doctor.
In case of an overdose, Helminthox will not cause harm to the patient and will not cause intoxication. Side effects (dizziness, vomiting) are very rare.
Vermox
These tablets are perfect for the prevention of parasites in the human body, and of different types.
Due to its wide spectrum of action, it copes well with helminths such as pinworms, echinococci, roundworms, strongyloids, etc.
Consultation with a doctor is necessary, since for certain diseases of the digestive tract, the drug can not be used. It is also important to take into account the fact that it may not be compatible with some medicines. Vermox is not suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
The preventive course of an adult patient lasts 3 days. You need to take one tablet per day. And during this period it is important not to eat heavy food for the stomach, as well as alcohol.
Levamisole
Used to neutralize various types of parasites. The therapeutic effect is achieved due to damage to the respiratory system of worms. As a result, helminths stop moving and die.
Parasites exit the body along with feces. It should be noted that Levamisole also destroys helminth eggs, finally neutralizing the infection process.
In pharmacies, you can find this tool under a different name - "Dekaris." To obtain a preventive effect, one tablet is enough. Repeat the procedure after 2 weeks.
Against the background of other drugs, Levamisole stands out because it not only kills parasites, but also improves immunity.
This tool is perfect for children over 3 years. But pediatrician control is still necessary.
"Piperazine"
This drug copes well with preventative function. The desired effect is achieved due to the action of piperazine adipate - the main component of the drug.
The effectiveness of this medication is high - after the first dose (1 tablet), more than 90% of the worms leave the body. To consolidate the result, it is worth taking Piperazine again after 14 days.
The tool does not have a toxic effect on the human body, therefore it is suitable for prevention, including for children.
"Combantrin"
Suitable for those who are forced to fight with adult worms. This tool blocks the appearance and development of diseases that are a consequence of the activity of parasites. Taking it, you do not need to drink laxatives or follow a special diet.
To get the desired effect, two tablets on the first day and one on the next day are enough. They need to be chewed and washed down with plenty of water. You can take this drug again for prophylaxis against parasites after 2 weeks.
Choosing Combantrine should be prepared for possible side effects: nausea, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting. Nursing and pregnant women, this tool is not recommended.
Folk methods
If you do not have the right drugs at hand, you can use alternatives.
For the prevention of helminths, it is suitable:
- Tincture of pomegranate bark (chopped). It is taken on an empty stomach, after which a laxative is drunk.
- Garlic. It is drunk with baked milk on an empty stomach.
- Pumpkin seeds. If you eat this product on an empty stomach, then the worms in the body will become significantly less. After eating seeds, a laxative is taken.
- Enema of carrot juice. Its use helps to remove parasites from the body.
It should be understood that the most effective prevention is the methods used after the diagnosis and consultation of a doctor.
Summary
Worms are harmful organisms that quietly enter the human body. Their presence is difficult to identify, therefore, periodically need to conduct competent prevention. This means that you do not need to act without the recommendations of a specialist: the doctor can tell you which remedy is best for a particular patient. Otherwise, negative concomitant effects are not ruled out.