About this episode

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon interviews Dr. Peter Hotez about the prevalence of parasites in the U.S. and their health implications.

The parasites most Americans think of as a tropical problem are already here; showing up as fatigue, asthma, and gut issues that standard tests keep calling "normal." An estimated 1 in 20 people may carry one and never know it. In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Dr. Peter Hotez, a tropical-medicine physician and vaccine scientist, to discuss: Why toxocariasis, a worm shed by household dogs and cats, may affect 5–6% of the U.S. population, with larvae migrating through the lungs and brain Why standard PCR panels come back negative and which specific tests (antibody, fecal, eosinophil count) to ask for How to lower your risk at home, from deworming pets on a vet schedule to knowing which symptoms warrant a targeted test Why the popular "worm therapy for autoimmune disease" idea has the relationship backwards, worms are a leading driver of IBD and asthma, not a cure Whether you've been told your labs are fine but still feel off, this conversation gives you a clear, evidence-based framework for what to test for and how to protect your family from infections hiding in plain sight. Thank you to our sponsors: BodyHealth - Use the code LYON20 to get 20% off your first…

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