Parasite prevention: 7 protection rules for the whole family

We wash hands before meals, buy fresh food, and try to keep the home clean. Parasitic disease is more common than people think and can stay asymptomatic for a long time.

Good news: up to 90% of infections can be prevented. In this article Visus Medical specialists collected seven key recommendations for you and your loved ones.

Many parasites, including Giardia, survive in water for weeks. Do not drink raw water from rivers, lakes, springs, or doubtful wells.

Use bottled, filtered, or boiled water — also for washing fruit, vegetables, and children’s toys.

Vegetables, berries, and greens grown near soil may carry parasite eggs. A quick rinse is not enough.

• Wash under strong running water; soak and scald with boiling water when needed.
• Cook meat and fish thoroughly — many helminth larvae die only with prolonged heat.
• Use separate boards and knives for raw meat/fish and ready-to-eat food.

Pets can carry eggs of parasites dangerous to humans (echinococcus, toxocara). Even an indoor cat may bring infection on its paws.

• Deworm every 3–4 months per your veterinarian.
• Wash hands after contact with animals.
• Do not allow licking the face or feeding from your dishes.
• Clean the litter box daily, wearing gloves.

Regular wet cleaning, laundry at 60°C, and ironing reduce risk. Do not leave food uncovered — flies spread helminth eggs. When traveling, drink only bottled water, avoid doubtful street food, and do not walk barefoot on soil that may contain animal feces.

With chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating, allergy, weight loss, or teeth grinding at night, do not self-treat. Only a specialist makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes safe treatment.