Raising pets, girl infected with 2 types of parasites at the same time

ký sinh trùng - Ảnh 1. — Dog tapeworms and cat and dog roundworms can be transmitted to humans - Illustration: TTO

Be careful when raising pets

Recently, a clinic in Can Tho City admitted Ms. NHM (29 years old) for examination due to itching. Here, she was assigned to perform the necessary tests to assess her health condition.

The results of the ELISA immunoassay to diagnose parasitic pathogens showed that Ms. M. was infected with two types of parasites at the same time: dog tapeworm and cat roundworm. Of which, Echinococcus IgG (dog tapeworm) level 0.43 and Toxocara IgG (dog and cat roundworm) level 0.64.

Ms. M. shared that she raises dogs, eats raw vegetables and seafood. Recently, she has been experiencing itching in her legs, arms and back, which often occurs after bathing and at night. The doctor determined that these habits create conditions for parasites to enter the body.

Patients are treated with medication and instructed to change their lifestyle to prevent reinfection.

According to Dr. Pham Thi Bach Qui - an infectious disease specialist, due to climate conditions and living habits, people in the Western region face a high risk of parasitic diseases, including worms.

Helminth infections are transmitted through various routes, mainly involving contact with environments contaminated with helminth eggs. For example, eating contaminated food and drinking contaminated water; touching the mouth with dirty hands; direct contact with contaminated soil...

In addition, keeping dogs and cats as pets and letting them roam freely is a common cause of the increase in parasitic diseases. Many people consider dogs and cats as close friends, often hugging and sleeping together, but do not pay attention to hygiene, increasing the risk of infection.

Doctor Qui said that parasitic worm disease often starts with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting/defecation of worms, itching, rash, and allergic reactions on the skin.

If not treated promptly, it will lead to malnutrition, anemia, hypochromia or immunodeficiency, creating conditions for other diseases (vitamin deficiency, malaria, dysentery, tuberculosis) to develop.

In severe cases, helminth infection can cause dangerous complications: intestinal obstruction, intussusception, appendicitis, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, bile duct obstruction, bile duct infection, pancreatitis, cirrhosis, ascites, liver tumors, and even liver abscess.

Treatment is often long-term and depends on the severity of the infection. Some patients improve after one course of treatment, but many need two to three courses of treatment, with close monitoring by a doctor to adjust the medication accordingly.

Measures to prevent worms and parasites

Dr. Qui recommends that proactive prevention of worm and parasite diseases is very important to control and prevent the spread. To reduce the risk of infection, each person needs to take the following measures:

• Maintain personal hygiene : Wash your hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet, keep your nails trimmed, and avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes or towels.

• Clean living environment : Ensure clean living space, do not use fresh manure to water vegetables or raise fish.

• Safe eating and drinking : Eat cooked food, drink boiled water, ensure food hygiene and safety. Avoid eating raw, undercooked food and unhygienic dishes from restaurants.

• Limit direct contact with pets , especially hugging, kissing or sleeping together.

• Regular deworming for people and pets .

Parasites are still a major threat to human health. People should proactively go to medical facilities for regular check-ups, especially when there are signs of suspected illness.

LINH HAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nuoi-thu-cung-co-gai-bi-nhiem-cung-luc-2-loai-ky-sinh-trung-20250725160533492.htm