Parasitology for Parents

Abstract

This book is a handy and necessary resource that reviews the risks of exposure to parasitic illnesses from domestic and international travel with specific relevant information about their transmission, symptoms and treatment.

This is Dr. Simon's third "Owners Manual" for parents, grandparents, family members and anyone participating in child care. The series provides information across the spectrum of wellness and health issues for children of all ages, infants to young adults. He has observed that those traveling both domestic and international for school, service or life experience frequently return home ill. They were uninformed about the risks of exposure and illness from parasites acquired by specific travel exposures. This has been an overlooked and neglected area of medicine. On returning home children may be and remain symptom free or have abrupt or acute onset of illness or have symptoms delayed by weeks, months or possibly years after infection started. There may be an unpredictable and variable time between when infection started and symptoms of illness occur.

This text is a handy and necessary resource that reviews the risks of exposure to parasitic illnesses from domestic and international travel with specific relevant information about their transmission, symptoms and treatment. The more you learn about parasites, the more it seems like science fiction with different stages and different host at different timings, involving a multistep complex lifecycle. After reading this text you'll never walk barefoot on unpaved grass or soil. You will never eat undercooked, raw, smoked or pickled red or white meat or seafood, or raw aquatic plants. You will not trust FDA regulations allowing a certain level of rodent and insect feces or parts or toxic substances to occur in foods. Yes our foods may have fly eggs, rodent feces and insect parts. They are allowable at certain levels by FDA guidelines that recognizes that these are "natural, unavoidable contaminants" that occur during the growing, processing and packaging of food. The FDA considers certain specified levels of these to be safe and not present a risk for our health. Reading through this text you will find they unfortunately may present a risk for parasitic infections. Yum, yum, chow down!

REVIEWS and WORDS OF PRAISE

What a wonderful guide for parents to understand specific risks and modes of prevention for parasitic infections both in your own backyard and abroad. As a pediatric provider, I am so grateful to have access to the mind of Dr. Simon through this accurate and evidence based resource!
--Allison Ward, MSN, CPNP-PC

This book is not only a great resource for parents but also healthcare providers! Although pre-travel vaccinations and medications may greatly decrease one's risk of a travel related illness, we all know that these measures are not foolproof. And, as a care provider, I can readily attest that a concise book like this will help me quickly drill down to the most likely culprit for a patient presenting with illness after recent travel. The handbook also has great information regarding parasitic infections that do not require extensive travel to acquire. Any family with a pet or recreational swims, whether the activity be in a chlorinated pool, freshwater or the ocean, has increased risk for parasitic illness. Arming caregivers and medical providers with anticipatory guidance ensures a healthier family, and if infection does occur, a faster road to recovery.
--Erin L. Wilson, APRN, C-PNP

Much of the information in Dr. Simon's Parasitology for Parents is admittedly not pleasant to think about, which makes it even that much more important to be aware of. Dr. Simon has established himself as a trusted resource to parents and caregivers to provide crucial health data for families to reference. We are all fortunate to have access to this kind of research, so we don't have to do it ourselves when the time comes to need it; we just have to buy the book!
--Penne Lentz

This will be a great reference for parents and providers. I had a 15 month old about 1.5 years ago who came in with a worm in a jar they had pulled out of her anus while changing her diaper. Sent it to the lab and it was identified as an Ascaris worm. Mom thinks she may have gotten it playing in the dirt at her grandparents farm where they do have pigs. Yuck!!
--Emily E. Robinson, APRN, CPNP-PC, CLC

There is a lot of information. I like the breakdown by geographic location.
--Michael Vossmeyer, MD

About the Author

Michael W. Simon M.D.,Ph.D., is a native of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. He was trained as a microbiologist and received a doctorate degree from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Simon completed his M.D. degree at the University of Kentucky. As a senior medical student he received the John H. Githen's award for excellence in Pediatrics. Dr. Simon received the Pediatric intern of the year award. He completed his Pediatric training at the University Kentucky Medical Center. He has published original basic research and clinical articles. Dr. Simon is a practicing Pediatrician and has pioneered more effective treatment for infectious mononucleosis. He is a member of the Scientific Research Society of North America and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is board certified through the American Board of Pediatrics. He and his wife reside in Lexington, Kentucky and have four adult children.