Are you aware of this worm disease (Toxocariasis) that is transmitted from dogs and cats?

Do you have a beloved dog or cat at home? Or are you a mother or father with young children? Then what I am going to say will be very important to you. Today we are going to talk about a worm disease that we can catch from animals, especially dogs and cats, but no one talks about it much, and which can be a little serious. This is called Toxocariasis .

What is Toxocariasis?

Simply put, toxocariasis is an infection caused by a type of roundworm that is common in animals. The disease is caused by the larvae of these worms. It is most commonly transmitted by the worm type ``Toxocara canis`` found in the intestines of dogs, and the worm type ``Toxocara cati`` found in the intestines of cats.

Imagine, when these animals defecate, those worm eggs come out with their feces. Then, if you touch something like soil or sand that has been contaminated by these feces, and then eat food with those dirty hands, or put your hand in your mouth, you can get this infection. Toxocariasis is a very rare disease, but it can sometimes be a bit serious .

Who is most likely to get this disease?

Anyone can get toxocariasis, but young children and pet owners are especially at risk. You may have seen young children picking up dirt while playing outside, sometimes putting it in their mouths. Similarly, children who play with dirt that has animal feces in it and put that dirt in their mouths are at the greatest risk.

Imagine this. You have a little girl or boy at home. They run around and play in the yard. Your beloved dog is also running around. Maybe the dog has defecated somewhere in the yard. If the child touches the soil while playing, the worm eggs in that soil can get on the child's hand and then put it in their mouth, there is a high chance of infection. Therefore, you need to be very careful about this.

How common is this disease?

In fact, some studies have shown that a significant number of people around the world have antibodies against the Toxocara parasite. This means that millions of people may have been exposed to the parasite. But many people do not develop any symptoms. So they do not even know that they have been infected.

How does toxocariasis affect the body?

If you ingest soil contaminated with animal feces, which contains Toxocara eggs, you can get toxocariasis. After these eggs are ingested, the larvae hatch inside your intestines. These tiny worms then penetrate the intestinal walls and enter your bloodstream. From there, they can spread throughout your body.

Although these `larvae` can affect any tissue in the body, the liver and lungs are most often affected.These worms can live for months, and can cause damage as they move through tissue. However, these `larvae` (worms) do not develop into large worms inside humans.

Most of the time, toxocariasis doesn't cause any symptoms. The worms are usually passed out of your body when you poop. But if you have a lot of Toxocara larvae, they can migrate to different parts of your body. This can lead to two main conditions:

Visceral Toxocariasis (affecting internal organs)

This is called `Visceral Toxocariasis` or `Visceral larva migrans`. This is when the `Toxocara larvae` (larvae) travel to various internal organs in your body. For example, these larvae can travel to places like your lungs, liver, and `central nervous system` (central nervous system) .

How it affects the eyes (Ocular Toxocariasis)

Another dangerous condition is `Ocular Toxocariasis` or `Ocular larva migrans`. Here `Toxocara larvae` (larvae) migrate to your eye. This can sometimes lead to permanent vision loss. Therefore, this is a condition that requires a lot of attention.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with toxocariasis do not experience any symptoms, so they are not even aware that they have the infection. However, if you develop symptoms due to Visceral Toxocariasis, you may experience:

• Fever
• Cough
• Wheezing (whistling)
• Extreme fatigue (`fatigue`)
• Stomach ache
• Skin rash
• Liver swelling
• Enlarged spleen
• Pneumonia

Ocular Toxocariasis usually affects only one eye. Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Eye pain and redness
• Retina damage and scarring
• Vision problems

What are the causes of this? How does it develop?

Toxocariasis is most commonly transmitted by dogs. Puppies can contract the parasite Toxocara (T. canis) from their mothers, possibly before birth, or through milk. The larvae develop rapidly in the puppy's intestines. Within a few weeks of birth, the worms begin to lay eggs. These eggs are passed out when the puppy defecates. After two to four weeks in the soil, these eggs develop into infective larvae.

You or your child can get this infection if you accidentally ingest soil that has been contaminated with dog feces and contains Toxocara eggs. Children often get this infection when playing in sandboxes. They can transfer the eggs from their hands to their mouths, and they may even eat contaminated sand. Adults can get this infection when they are working with soil or cultivating crops. People with a condition called pica (an urge to eat inedible things like soil) can also get toxocariasis.

Rarely, toxocariasis can also be caused by eating undercooked meat .

Is this contagious from person to person?

No. Toxocariasis is not a disease that can be transmitted from person to person like the common cold. The infection is only transmitted from animals to humans through their feces.

How to diagnose the disease?

Your doctor will do a physical exam to diagnose toxocariasis. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and any possible exposure to Toxocara larvae. Your doctor may also do a blood test to check for toxocariasis. This blood test looks for Toxocara antibodies in your blood. These antibodies are proteins made by our immune system that help fight infections.

How is it treated?

If you don't have symptoms, toxocariasis usually doesn't require treatment. The infection often clears up on its own.

However, if you have severe symptoms due to the infection, home remedies for intestinal worms will not work. Don't do that. Definitely see a doctor.

Your doctor may prescribe an antiparasitic drug, such as albendazole or mebendazole. These drugs kill the worms.

When treating ocular toxocariasis, the main goal is to prevent permanent damage to the eyes. Your doctor may prescribe a type of medication called a corticosteroid. He or she may also refer you to an eye specialist. Surgery may be needed to remove the worms, treat vision problems, or treat any other eye problems.

How can I avoid this? What are the prevention methods?

You can protect yourself from toxocariasis by following a few simple steps. The most important thing you can do is practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after handling animals and before eating. This is the number one defense!

Here are some other things you can do:

Regarding pets

• Take your dog or cat to a veterinarian regularly for checkups.He will then recommend whether your pet needs deworming.
• Keep your pet's place clean. Clean his cage and wash his bedding at least once a week.
• Bury your pet's poop, or put it in a bag and put it in the trash. Remember, you should wash your hands thoroughly after removing the poop.

Regarding children

• Teach children the importance of washing their hands, especially after handling animals and after playing outside.
• Do not let children play near animal droppings. Check playgrounds and sandpits for droppings. Keep sandpits covered when not in use.
• Teach children about the dangers of eating things like dirt and sand. Be careful when children are playing if they have a habit of putting things in their mouths.

What happens if I get toxocariasis?

Most of the time, you won't even know you have toxocariasis. This is because many people don't have any symptoms. However, if you have ingested a significant amount of Toxocara larvae, they can migrate to different parts of your body. This can cause symptoms ranging from a cough to pneumonia. Antiparasitic drugs can often cure the condition. However, if you develop Ocular Toxocariasis (toxocariasis that affects the eyes), you may even lose your eyesight permanently.

Final Take-Home Message

So, this is another important reason to wash your hands frequently. Toxocariasis is a disease caused by the ingestion of roundworm larvae (worms) from animal feces. Most of the time, it is harmless, and you won't even know you have it. But in some cases, it can cause serious symptoms and complications, such as loss of vision.

Therefore, if you experience any symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Also, never forget to wash your hands! It keeps you, your children, and your entire family safe.

` Toxocariasis, worm diseases, diseases transmitted by dogs, diseases transmitted by cats, worm diseases in children, animal feces, hand washing