View source for Helminthic therapy safety

== Known and possible contraindications for the use of helminthic therapy ==

* Patients with a serious, life-threatening infection such as HIV/AIDS, or who are ''severely'' immunosuppressed. However, this does not include those who are taking immunosuppressive medications to treat autoimmune, inflammatory or allergic diseases. For more on this see [[Introduction to helminthic therapy#Combining helminthic therapy with drug treatments | '''Combining helminthic therapy with drug treatments''']].

* Patients with severe intestinal strictures. Hookworm larvae can temporarily increase inflammation in the small intestine in the initial stages of colonisation and this might close a very narrow stricture, especially if the guidance on the [[Hookworm dosing and response | '''Hookworm dosing and response''']] page is not followed carefully. 

* Patients whose cardiac arteries are severely narrowed due to atherosclerosis. The temporary increase in inflammation following the initial introduction of helminths, especially hookworms, may exacerbate this condition, possibly occluding an artery and triggering a heart attack.

* Patients with bleeding or blood clotting disorders are advised to monitor their clotting times when hosting hookworms. For more details see [[Helminthic therapy safety#Can hookworms make their hosts' blood too thin? | '''Can hookworms make their hosts' blood too thin?''']], below. 

* Patients with ''acute'' anaemia/anemia. Hookworms have a potential to slightly lower hemoglobin levels, so it may be advisable to correct any existing anaemia before proceeding with the use of this species. For more details, see the [[Helminthic therapy and nutritional deficiencies | '''Helminthic therapy and nutritional deficiencies''']] page.

* Patients with a latent viral infection such as herpes or tuberculosis may experience a temporary exacerbation of their condition following inoculation. For more details, see [[Helminthic therapy and infectious diseases#Helminthic therapy and viral infections | '''Helminthic therapy and viral infections''']].

* Patients who have had a diagnosis of cancer. Helminth providers may be reluctant to supply anyone in this situation, even if the cancer is in remission, although they may be willing to supply someone with a relatively benign cancer or one that is very easy to treat. See: [[Helminthic therapy and cancer | '''Helminthic therapy and cancer''']].

* Patients who are pregnant. See the [[Helminthic_therapy_and_pregnancy|'''Helminthic therapy and pregnancy''']] page for a detailed discussion on this.