Toxocariasis - Medtick
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Toxocariasis

What is it?

Parasite infection spread via infected cats, dog and fox faeces/stools to human via infected soil entering human mouth.

  • It is not spread directly from animal.

There are three types of this condtion:

  • Covert toxocariasis
  • Ocular larva migrans
  • Visceral larva migrans

Cause

  • Parasite: Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati
  • Living in contaminated soil
  • Faeces from cats and dogs and fox via soil i.e gardening

Symptoms

Covert toxocariasis:

  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Difficulty sleeping?
  • Swollen lymph glands and/or reoccurring mouth ulcers?
  • Irritated?

Ocular larva migrans (when spreads to eye):

  • Blurred or cloudy vision, usually only affecting one eye?
  • Very red and painful eye?

Visceral Larva Migrans (when spreads to other parts of body):

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomiting longer than two days (one day if a child)?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Unexplained weight loss?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • A new rash that has appeared or existing rash getting worst?
  • Rapid heartbeat, swollen ankles and/or fingers?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if  have or develop:

  • Cerebral toxocariasis (if condition reaches to brain):
    • Headaches
    • Confusion
    • Poor co-ordination
    • Seizures (fits)
    • High temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over
    • Slurred speech
    • Encephalitis
    • Hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain)
    • Brain damage
    • Epilepsy
    • Hearing loss
  • Ocular toxocariasis:
    • Blurred vision
    • Floaters (small shapes floating in your field of vision)
    • Reduced vision or loss of vision
  • Learning disabilities
  • Liver disease
  • Enlarged Spleen
  • Cerebral palsy
  • If get into lungs:
    • Breathing difficulties
    • Wheezing
    • Shortness of breath
    • Heart palpitations

Pregnancy

If one is pregnant or planning to be pregnant it can lead to:

  • Congenital toxocariasis (unborn child having the condition)
  • Hydrocephalus (fluid on the baby’s brain)
  • Brain damage
  • Epilepsy
  • Hearing loss
  • Ocular toxocariasis
    • Blurred vision
    • Floaters (small shapes floating in your field of vision)
    • Reduced vision or loss of vision
  • learning disabilities
  • Liver disease
  • Enlarged Spleen
  • Cerebral palsy

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Toxocariasis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

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  • Cleveland Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

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  • Verywell Health

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  • Fit for Travel

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  • DR Axe

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