They also might refer a child to a specialist (like an ophthalmologist if the eye is involved). Kids with symptoms that affect the lungs, eye, or other important organs may be treated with anti-parasite drugs that will kill the larvae.ĭoctors sometimes also give steroids to ease inflammation in the damaged organs. How Is Toxocariasis Treated?Ī child with mild symptoms might not need treatment because the infection will go away on its own when the larvae die. If symptoms happen, doctors will do an exam and order blood tests and, sometimes, other tests. If not treated, it can lead to blindness in the affected eye.īecause kids don't always have symptoms, many cases of toxocariasis aren't diagnosed. The eye can be red and painful, the eyes can look crossed, or vision can get blurred or cloudy. enlarged lymph nodes ("swollen glands").Symptoms depend on what part of the body is affected, and can include: If symptoms do happen, they can range from mild to severe. Many people with toxocariasis don't have any symptoms. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Toxocariasis? But they can live for months or even years in a human, and can damage whatever organ they have infected. The larvae don't grow into intestinal worms in humans as they do in dogs or cats. Then, they travel to other body parts, such as the liver, lungs, heart, brain, or muscles. The larvae go through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. Swallowed eggs pass into the intestines, where they hatch into larvae. Rarely, people can get infected by eating undercooked meat that contains Toxocara larvae (baby worms). This happens more in kids, who don't always wash their hands well or often enough, and who like to put their hands in their mouths. People can swallow these eggs if there's contaminated dirt on their food or hands. The eggs can last a long time in the soil of yards, parks, and playgrounds. What Causes Toxocariasis?Įggs from the dog worm Toxocara canis or the cat worm Toxocara cati pass into their feces (poop). It is most common in young children and pet owners, but anyone can get it. Toxocariasis (tox-oh-keh-RYE-eh-sis) is a human infection caused by a type of worm that can live in the intestines of dogs and cats.
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