HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Headaches, Nausea, Fever, Fatigue, Loss Of Energy, Insomnia Worsened. All Tests Normal. Due To Parasite? Diagnosis?

In February my mom joined fitness lady so she could swim laps. Shortly after she went to the doctor complaint of headache nausea fever and fatigue. After a week santons were gone. The only symptom left was fatigue. She felt like she lost half her energy. This happened 3 more times over a span of 4 months. Same symptoms. The last was a month ago. The first three days had a severe headache, severer nausea, low grade fever, and inability to sleep. After the three days, the nausea, fatigue, and insomnia has gotten worse. She hasn't eaten but a cup of food ang maybe a gallon of water in the past months due to the nausea. She went to the doc two weeks ago. They ran every test you can imagine from west Nile to heppatitas. The went to an internal Medicean/gi doctor which examined her digestive tract inside and out. Everything looked fine. Now she is in the hospital and they still can't find out what is wrong. Could this be a parasite? She does have two dogs, one actually had a parasite treated a few months ago.
Fri, 16 Aug 2013
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi there,thanxs for putting up the question on healthcaremagic.

According to your description,it could be a parasite infestation.Common symptomology of an paracital illness is referred to involve fatigue, tempreture, social withdrawal, and irritability, also other emotional responses accompany immune activation, including anxiety.Parasites, Bacteria and fungus can be detected with specific testings,

Feacal Parasite and Microbial test are available for detection of such cases.
MRI nd CAT scan can be done for detection of such cases.

As you mentioned,the patient was in direct contact with dogs.
Canine roundworms and tapeworms can also cause diseases in humans. Worm eggs are excreted in dog feces, and after two weeks in the environment they become infectious to humans. If accidentally ingested, the worms can migrate to organs like the liver, lungs, brain and eyes.

As these parasites are not supposed to be in a human body at all, the immune system responds by trying to wall them off to stop them moving any further. The disease in humans is known as visceral larva migrans, or, if in the eye, ocular larva migrans.


-So Regular deworming and flea control for dogs is must to prevent transmission to humans. Your veterinarian can advise on the most appropriate treatment for your dog.

When playing with your family dog, always wash your hands after contact, avoiding kissing it, and do not allow it to lick people on the face.

Hope it helped.

Regards,
Dr neha.
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful

Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Visceral larva migrans


Loading Online Doctors....
Headaches, Nausea, Fever, Fatigue, Loss Of Energy, Insomnia Worsened. All Tests Normal. Due To Parasite? Diagnosis?

Hi there,thanxs for putting up the question on healthcaremagic. According to your description,it could be a parasite infestation.Common symptomology of an paracital illness is referred to involve fatigue, tempreture, social withdrawal, and irritability, also other emotional responses accompany immune activation, including anxiety.Parasites, Bacteria and fungus can be detected with specific testings, Feacal Parasite and Microbial test are available for detection of such cases. MRI nd CAT scan can be done for detection of such cases. As you mentioned,the patient was in direct contact with dogs. Canine roundworms and tapeworms can also cause diseases in humans. Worm eggs are excreted in dog feces, and after two weeks in the environment they become infectious to humans. If accidentally ingested, the worms can migrate to organs like the liver, lungs, brain and eyes. As these parasites are not supposed to be in a human body at all, the immune system responds by trying to wall them off to stop them moving any further. The disease in humans is known as visceral larva migrans, or, if in the eye, ocular larva migrans. -So Regular deworming and flea control for dogs is must to prevent transmission to humans. Your veterinarian can advise on the most appropriate treatment for your dog. When playing with your family dog, always wash your hands after contact, avoiding kissing it, and do not allow it to lick people on the face. Hope it helped. Regards, Dr neha.