Toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by ingesting roundworm eggs found in dog or cat feces, which can cause abdominal pain and nausea. It is most common in young children who don’t wash their hands after playing on contaminated ground. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection, with mild cases naturally expelled with bowel movements and more severe cases requiring medication or surgery.
Toxocariasis is a type of parasitic infection that occurs when a person accidentally ingests traces of dog or cat feces that contain roundworm eggs. Ingested roundworm larvae spread throughout the human gastrointestinal tract, causing abdominal pain and nausea. In severe cases, the larvae can cause more widespread problems in the lungs, eyes, or brain. Most infections are considered mild and do not require medical attention. If toxocariasis causes organ damage or vision problems, however, a doctor can administer medications to eradicate the parasite and prevent further complications.
Dogs can carry a roundworm parasite known as Toxocara canis, while cats carry Toxocara cati. Both of these roundworms can lead to toxocariasis in humans if the feces are ingested. The condition is most commonly seen in young children who don’t wash their hands after playing on contaminated ground. Eating unwashed garden vegetables or undercooked meat from animals raised by dogs or cats can also lead to infections. Symptoms tend to appear one to three weeks after ingestion, as the eggs begin to mature and hatch in the gastrointestinal tract.
Doctors recognize three distinct types of toxocariasis infection. Most cases in children are called hidden, which means the symptoms are mild and short-lived. An individual with hidden toxocariasis may experience mild abdominal pain, a cough, or a headache. Visceral larva migrans occurs when the eggs hatch and spread throughout the body, leading to inflammation of the lungs, skin, heart, or even the brain. The larvae can occasionally spread to the eyes in a condition called ocular larva migrans, which can cause blurry vision and redness.
If a person notices possible signs of toxocariasis in themselves or their baby, they should visit a doctor right away to receive a proper diagnosis. A doctor may take a blood sample to check for an increased level of white blood cells and for the presence of parasites. If visceral or ocular larva migrans is suspected, your doctor may do computed tomography scans of your internal organs to analyze the extent of the damage.
Treatment for toxocariasis depends on the type of infection and the severity of the symptoms. Most cases of hidden toxocariasis are not medically treated; the larvae are naturally expelled with bowel movements over a few weeks. If roundworm larvae are spreading, however, a doctor may prescribe medications called anthelmintics that seek out and destroy parasites in the bloodstream. Anti-inflammatory medications can help relieve other symptoms related to the infection. In rare cases where the parasites cause significant damage to the eyes or organs, surgery may be needed to repair or remove the affected body parts.
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