Pet owners should remain cautious because some parasites will be killed off by dewormers, but can remain dormant within the host, reappearing during times of stress or when a mother gets pregnant. Also, while some pet owners may decide to administer a dewormer on their own, some parasites, such as tapeworms, are not curable with generic, over-the-counter dewormers, so a trip to the vetrinarian is necessary.
Keeping kennel areas clean, controlling rodents, and testing females prior to breeding can all help prevent the spread of parasites. Symptoms of a worm parasite in pets can include:. Additional details about the most common parasitic worms follow. If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, please contact our office and schedule an appointment today. They are most common in warm, humid geographical areas and most often infect puppies, though they are capable of contaminating older dogs and cats as well.
Humans are capable of contracting hookworms from their pets, though the parasite cannot survive very long in a human environment.
Hookworms penetrate human flesh and migrate, causing a small red, itchy patch of skin; they eventually die off. These worms sit in the intestinal tract, growing up to 5 inches in length. Roundworm eggs are coated in a hard shell that allows them to survive for years in soil and on other surfaces, potentially re-infecting your pet for a prolonged period of time.
Roundworms can also infect humans; the most common cases are among children. When not treated immediately, they can cause severe damage to a human host and can even cause blindness. While it may not be possible to get rid of all possible sources of intestinal worms, it is still essential to take certain steps to avoid them where possible.
One of the more important aspects of prevention is basic sanitation. For instance, people should always wash their hands both before and after using the toilet to avoid possible exposure.
Washing the hands before cooking or handling food is also crucial. Many intestinal worms enter the body through the food that a person eats. As a result, it is essential to follow some safe food practices :.
When visiting a developing country or a place where sanitation is lacking, avoid swimming in sources of unclean water or walking barefoot in areas where contamination with fecal matter is possible. Many intestinal worms are uncommon in the U. Some common worms, such as pinworms, do not pose much harm. In most cases, a thorough course of treatment can help clear up the issue. However, anyone who suspects that their symptoms come from an intestinal worm should see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.
Most people respond well to treatment. A look at home remedies for ringworm, a condition that results in fungal infection on the skin. Included is detail on when to see a doctor and…. Ascariasis occurs when a parasitic roundworm infects a person's small intestine.
It may not cause symptoms initially, but an extensive infection can…. Bacterial gastroenteritis, or food poisoning, is a gut infection that can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. People with bacterial…. Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that can cause infection at any age. People can catch it through contact with soil. It is rare in the United States,. Intestinal worms in humans and their symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M. Symptoms Pictures Types Risk factors Diagnosis Treatment Complications Prevention Takeaway Intestinal worms, or parasitic worms, are simple organisms that feed off the human body. Types of worm and how they enter the body. Risk factors. Share on Pinterest Doctors may use a colonoscopy to check the bowel for parasites. Share on Pinterest People should never eat undercooked or raw meat.
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Are there any home remedies for ringworm? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Everything you need to know about ascariasis.
How to treat and prevent bacterial gastroenteritis. What's to know about hookworm infection? Medically reviewed by Vincent J. Once the eggs mature, the female worm travels at night to the anus and lays more eggs on the skin in the surrounding perianal area.
You may actually see the worms upon close inspection. The eggs on the skin around the anus cause extreme itching, especially at night when the female worms are most active. Fortunately, pinworms are easily treated with anti-parasitic medication, which is available by prescription or over the counter. In rare cases, the worms may enter the vagina and cause a discharge in girls. Or the excess scratching can cause a bacterial infection. While the risks are minor with a pinworm infection, the sooner your child is treated, the less likely he is to pass on pinworms to others.
Good hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent pinworms, so encourage children to wash hands regularly, especially prior to eating. Animals can transmit roundworm infections as well, and the dog and cat roundworms are among the most common of these.
Roundworm infection causes a disease called Toxocariasis. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, cough, wheezing or even seizures.
Or it may go to the brain where it can cause encephalitis, which leads to seizures and brain damage. Once diagnosed, Toxocariasis can be treated with medication. The key is getting the right diagnosis. If your child is exhibiting symptoms and you believe your child may have been exposed to dog or cat feces, be sure to mention this to your doctor. Pet owners, be sure to dispose of feces appropriately. Make sure your children wash hands regularly if playing outdoors in an area where pets frequently defecate.
Note that raccoons also carry a deadly roundworm that goes straight to the brain, so avoid locations raccoons may use as a latrine such as an uncovered sandbox. Tapeworms are long, flat worms with segmented bodies that can grow to more than 20 feet long and reside in the human intestines for decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.
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