COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 274
change litter, wearing gloves for gardening) effectively
manage risk
○ The risk should be contextualized against the
documented health benefits of pet ownership
3. Animals in agricultural settings:
○ Provide essential food and economic resources
○ Modern animal husbandry includes parasite
management
○ Proper food handling and cooking eliminates most risks
A study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association found that with basic hygiene measures, pet
ownership poses minimal zoonotic parasite risk for most individuals
[23].
Comprehensive Symptomatology of Parasitic Infections
Parasitic infections can manifest through diverse symptoms across
multiple body systems. While many infections remain
asymptomatic, others may produce one or more of the following:
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
● Diarrhea: Acute or chronic; may alternate with constipation
● Constipation: Particularly with certain helminthic infections
● Abdominal pain: Often periumbilical or right lower quadrant
● Excessive gas and bloating: Post-prandial distension
● Nausea/vomiting: More common in acute infections
● Changes in appetite: Either increased hunger or anorexia
● Visible organisms in stool: In some helminthic infections
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