Protect Yourself from Parasites

Parasites in the US? They’re more Common than you may Think

Most Americans have little concern about contracting parasites. However, the idea that parasites are only something to be worried about if you travel overseas is not entirely true. Parasites are becoming a leading cause of food borne illness in the United States, for which there was no shortage of in 2007.

A number of parasitic protozoa are quite common in the United States, including Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba histolytica, all of which are water-born organisms that can cause a host of digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and overall body weakness.

But Americans are not immune to parasites that are more commonly found in foreign countries, as workers travel overseas and handle the food and water we eat in mass quantities. Roundworms and hookworms, for instance, can enter the bloodstream when their eggs make their way into our food – often quite disgustingly, via feces contamination.

What can you do to protect yourself?

• Avoid large chain and fast food restaurants where multiple hands are touching the food that’s being prepared, and thus has a greater chance of becoming infected.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet, especially in public wash rooms.
• Don’t let animals lick you – even your household pet. Animals are much more susceptible to parasites and often carry them. If an animal does lick you, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Avoid sitting directly on public toilet bowls, which can become contaminated with bacteria and some forms of parasites.
• If you have a compromised immune system, avoiding common exposure sites, such as daycare centers or nursing homes, is something to consider.
• If you suspect that you might have been exposed to a parasite, don’t wait to seek medical care – the sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances are of knocking the parasites out of your system completely.

One point of good news comes from a recent study in Scotland showing that, although powerful, parasites are less likely to survive in hosts that have strong immune systems. Yet another reason to live as healthfully as possible.