What is Toxicariasis?

Definition: Toxicariasis is a parasitic infection that is caused by roundworms that infect dogs and cats. The life cycle includes: 1) roundworm larvae in dirt; 2) dog or cat eats the larvae; 3) worms travel to intestines; 4) mother can pass infection to offspring; and 5) larvae excreted in feces. So, what does this have to do with kids? Plenty, because children love to play in dirt and sandboxes, where animals often eliminate waste. Kids can get infected with toxicariasis, and symptoms can include fever, coughing or wheezing, skin rash and even problems with vision. Treatment includes steroids to relieve symptoms and anti-parasitic drugs. Parents and child care providers alike need to exercise extreme caution in having kids play in dirt or areas where animals extrete waste, keep sandboxes covered when kids are not playing in it, and teaching kids to always wash their hands carefully after playing outside and to not put their dirty hands in their mouth. Pet-owners can lessen the chance of a pet getting toxicariasis by having kittens and puppies wormed.