Dear Dr. Gott: Our son of 51 years recently had lung surgery to discover he had paragonimiasis, better known as “lung flukes”. It was very serious surgery, expecting to identify cancer, which, thankfully, it did not.The lab report confirmed that he had ingested raw freshwater crabs and crayfish, which he did at his favourite sushi bar. They were offered as a special treat that in a few months lead to a cough and the rest of the story, followed by a short series of Biltricide pills.

We believe you may want to publish this information as a caution to others not to eat raw freshwater crabs or crayfish, especially the Asian variety. Reply> Uncooked fish and shellfish carry the possibility of parasitic contamination. Paragonimiasis is a long-term infection. The flukes enter the blood stream from the stomach and are then carried to the lungs, where they eventually cause problems.

Symptoms can include bronchitis, bloody sputum, eye disorders, diarrhoea, pain, seizures and brain damage with paralysis. The best way to prevent this infection is to cook the freshwater crabs and crayfish (and all meats and seafood) thoroughly before consumption.

Biltricide is designed to rid the body of the flukes that cause paragonimiasis.

I am sorry to learn of your son’s problem, and I agree with your prohibition about eating raw seafood. It can be risky.

Your son was lucky that the infection was caught in the early stages, before symptoms worsened and permanent damage was done.Dear Dr. Got$> I am 74 years old and had an EKG in May, which showed left anterior fascicular block. I took it to my primary physician, and he said not to worry and that nothing needed to be done.I then went back and asked the cardiologist who did the test if he agreed.

He thought for a while and then said, “Not exactly”. What is your opinion on this? Rep<$> Fascicular block means that some of the electricity in your heart muscle is being interrupted. This is a common consequence of coronary blockage.Although it is not necessarily ominous, fascicular block should be investigated with further testing, such as a stress test. I tend to side with your cardiologist on this issue.

Have the testing performed so that your doctors can learn more about your heart — and treat you if necessary.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, Ohio 44092. Be sure to mention the title.Dr. Gott is a retired physician and the author of the new book “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet”. Contact him c/o United Media, 200 Madison Avenue, fourth floor, New York, New York 10016.