Can you get worms from dogs? Symptoms in humans & prevention

Can you get worms from dogs? Symptoms in humans & prevention

 

Can you get worms from an infected animal? How to prevent symptoms of infection from tapeworm, roundworms, heartworms & hookworm in humans? In addition, Pinworms are the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the US.

Are you a cat or a dog owner? Do you wonder can people get worms from dogs?

Yes, it is very much possible for you to get infected with hookworms, tapeworms, heartworms, or roundworms from your dog or cat.

Getting diseases from a pet is pretty uncommon, and you can prevent most of them with some very simple steps. So, the common question is how can I prevent or treat this infestation?

Here is what you should know about this disease.

 

Worms in dogs

  #1   Hookworms in dogs

Hookworms from dogs may do enter a human host usually from their skin. Such an infection may happen to you if you walk over contaminated soil using your bare feet.

This can even happen if you touch soil where your dog has urinated or excreted. Hookworms infest your dog’s intestines, while if it infects you, it will live under your skin and cause a disease and painful rashes which itch terribly.

Hookworms generally stay under your body’s skin until they die. But at times they can also travel to your intestines and even your lungs.

 

Hookworm symptoms in humans

Symptoms of hookworm infestation are you getting a wheezing cough, diarrhea, pain in some particular area, anemia resulting in weight loss.

Occasionally hookworm infection can even cause death.

 

  #2   Dog tapeworm in humans

Tapeworm is yet another type of worm, which can spread from your dog to you. These worms get their name as they are flat in nature and have a ribbon-like appearance.

These happen to be one of the most common parasites which live in the intestines of your dogs.

Tapeworm infection in dogs results by swallowing infected fleas. If you, in turn, swallow infected fleas, you are at risk of infection.

 

Tapeworm symptoms in humans

Symptoms of tapeworm infection in humans are nausea, diarrhea, pain in your abdomen, weakness, excessive hunger or loss of appetite.

Tapeworm infection in humans can lead to intestinal blockages. If untreated, complications include affecting your heart, eyes, brain and liver. It can become life-threatening to humans if not treated.

 

  #3   Roundworms in dogs

Roundworms look like a strand of spaghetti. They live in your dog’s intestines too.

If your dog has roundworms and defecates on the ground, the worms’ eggs of tiny or adult worms pass into the soil. If you touch the infected soil or any body fluids of an infected animal with your bare hands, you can get infected.

Roundworm eggs have a two week gestation period after which they can lead to infections in humans. Once inside your body, the worms can migrate to your lungs, eyes, brains and liver.

Symptoms of roundworms in humans

The signs of roundworm infection in humans depend on which part of your body the worms travel to. There have been cases of permanent vision loss happening in the case of eye infection due to ringworms.

Lung infections due to ringworms cause coughing and asthma-like symptoms.

 

  #4   Heartworm disease is a severe disease

Heartworm results in serious organ damage such as lung disease, heart failure, and death in pets.

Studies say that using ivermectin on a monthly basis in a dog with heartworm disease for two years may kill off most of the dog’s young heartworms.

 

Worm prevention for humans

Precautions and cure due to worm infection from dogs:

Make sure your dog goes through regular worming treatment and flea control. After playing with your dog, be sure to wash your hands and feet properly.

Regular vet checks and frequent hand washing are two other great ways to help prevent a wide range of diseases from pets such as diseases from dogs, diseases from cats, diseases from reptiles, or diseases from birds.

Do not kiss your dog and do not allow your dog to lick you or other humans on the face.

Teach children not to kiss pets or put their hands in their mouths after touching them.

Take care to remove any dog feces in a prompt fashion using either gloves or a plastic bag and ensure you avoid any contact between your skin and the dog feces. If you have young children, try to prevent them from eating grass or soil, especially if your dog plays outdoors.

In case you see any symptoms of infection in your children or your family, consult your doctor immediately.

In fact, you may also get parasitic worms due to animal bite infection or SARS-CoV-2 infection.

 

Can you get worms from dogs? Symptoms in humans & prevention

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