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Can Round Worm Infection Be Transmitted Through Licking?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Dec 2016
Question: I my puppy has just passed a 6 inch round worm.
He is 8 weeks old. He was treated two days ago and the worm was seen today.
I have 3 and 5 year olds. I have given them one vermox tablet each and aslo my husband and me.
The dog did lick my face after having diareah so am worried. Do I need to take more vermox?
Also my husband is worried about our grass backyard as has been hosing a lot before we saw the worm !!

I would appreciate your advice on this,
thanks,
XXXXX

doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need not worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, XXXXX
Thanks for posting a query.
By licking the Round worms cannot be transmitted. Contact with the feces and soil contaminated are the main source of parasites.


Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people.

Children should not be allowed to play where animals have passed feces. Individuals who have direct contact with soil that may have been contaminated by cat or dog feces should wear gloves or wash their hands immediately.

Preventive Care

It is easier to prevent roundworms than to cure them. The steps to preventing roundworm infection include:

Practice good personal hygiene. Wash hands and avoid contact with fecal matter.
DO NOT eat uncooked or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Stay away from mosquito or fly-infested areas.
DO NOT drink unfiltered water
DO NOT touch the soil in areas where roundworm infections are common.
Wear protective clothing and use insect repellant.
Cook or freeze meat thoroughly.
Keep children away from pet feces.
Ask a veterinarian about deworming pets.
Public health measures include improving general sanitation, especially sewage disposal, and reducing mosquito and fly populations.

As you have already taken vermox, Do not worry much.

But take all the preventive measures.

Any query do follow up.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G (9 hours later)
Hi Dr. Nagamani, thank you for your response.
I have a few more questions?

1. Would we need to take a follow up tablet in say 12 days when other worms may hatch?

2. My husband sprayed the backyard ( 800sq metres ) with hose to remove diarreah etc. Which must have spread eggs all over garden ! how can I protect my kids from contaminated areas if the areas are unknown and all over the grass yard? Also I remember picking up some doggy poop that was runny and not being able to get the whole lot. I went back to where I thought it might be but rain has washed this away now so cannot find ! Am freaking out we will have a contaminated garden for years and years and then give our kids worms that could potentially make them blind if complications arose!

3. Should we move? my girls are 3 and 5. i can tell them over and over again to wash hands but are very independent and am worried they will go outside and then grab something from the fridge without my knowing. I cannot watch them 24 / 7 !!

4. Should I worm my kids with Vermox every few months as precautions.

A very worried mum,
thank,
XXXXX




doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do not get tensed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for the follow up,

Do not panic your self much.
Just be relaxed and yes give your children and yourself another dosage of vormex after 2 weeks.
And if possible get the pest eliminated from garden by these following measures.

Companion planting
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) produce a sulfur-containing biochemical compound that is fatal to nematodes. The round worms die when they encounter marigold roots or soil surrounding the plant that contains the compounds. The potential for success in killing nematodes depends on the marigold species and the target nematode species. The most common species of marigolds for suppressing nematodes are Tagetes patula, T. erecta and T. minuta. Marigolds must be actively growing for the nematicide property to work. Simply adding marigold extracts to the soil will not kill nematodes.

Rotation, Tilling, Fallowing
Kill nematodes by removing their preferred food source. If vegetables or other plants in your garden and yard are showing signs of nematode infestation, remove the plants and replace them the following season with a nonsusceptible host plant. Some of these include grasses, peas and grains. Tilling the soil and leaving it unplanted can also kill off existing nematodes. Exposing deep soil to sunlight dries out and kills moisture-loving nematodes. These methods will reduce the population of nematodes but not necessarily eliminate it entirely.


Shifting a home just because of the round worm is not needed.

D not worry your kids will not be infected just by playing in the garden.
be sure once you do complete eradication of them from garden and treat your pet completely.


All the best.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Nagamani N.G

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1091 Questions

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Can Round Worm Infection Be Transmitted Through Licking?

Brief Answer: Need not worry. Detailed Answer: Hello, XXXXX Thanks for posting a query. By licking the Round worms cannot be transmitted. Contact with the feces and soil contaminated are the main source of parasites. Roundworms do pose a significant risk to humans. Contact with contaminated soil or dog feces can result in human ingestion and infection. Roundworm eggs may accumulate in significant numbers in the soil where pets deposit feces. Once infected, the worms can cause eye, lung, heart and neurologic signs in people. Children should not be allowed to play where animals have passed feces. Individuals who have direct contact with soil that may have been contaminated by cat or dog feces should wear gloves or wash their hands immediately. Preventive Care It is easier to prevent roundworms than to cure them. The steps to preventing roundworm infection include: Practice good personal hygiene. Wash hands and avoid contact with fecal matter. DO NOT eat uncooked or unwashed fruits and vegetables. Stay away from mosquito or fly-infested areas. DO NOT drink unfiltered water DO NOT touch the soil in areas where roundworm infections are common. Wear protective clothing and use insect repellant. Cook or freeze meat thoroughly. Keep children away from pet feces. Ask a veterinarian about deworming pets. Public health measures include improving general sanitation, especially sewage disposal, and reducing mosquito and fly populations. As you have already taken vermox, Do not worry much. But take all the preventive measures. Any query do follow up. Take care.