Cat Worms in Humans
Cats can get worms and the worms can be transmitted to other animals and humans. While transmission to humans isn't a serious problem, it does happen. Knowing what types of worms can be transmitted and how they are transmitted helps reduce the risk of transmission. Treatment of the problem includes both the cat and the persons infected with the worm, which must not only be removed from both pet and owner but from the environment to avoid reinfection.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
Cat worms can be categorized into three types: roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms. Ringworms are mislabeled as a worm when they are actually a fungus, but can still be passed from cat to human. Hookworms are similar to roundworms in their appearance but do not cross between cats and humans in the same manner. Tapeworms are the most common type since they are introduced into cats via the most common method, fleas.
Transmission
-
Transmission of worms from cats to humans, while uncommon, can happen. Most often it is through cat litter that comes into contact with skin and then is ingested. Toddlers are the most prone to this when they play on the floor and then put their hand in their mouth. The worm is passed from the cat through feces and then mixed with the litter when the cat covers their feces. It is possible to transmit tapeworm eggs if your cat inadvertently passes a flea onto you. This can happen when you are nuzzling your cat or your cat licks your face near your mouth.
-
Risks
-
The risk of cat worms being passed to humans is small since you have to ingest the worm that is tranferred in either cat feces or flea. It is possible for a hookworm to pass from your cat's fur to your skin, and then the worm burrows under your skin. A hookworm would cause irritation at the site and then die, though the infection can last for weeks. The effects of roundworms on people are mild and last for a period of time, but fatalities are rare.
Treatments
-
Keep the cat litter clean and your living space free of fleas, for your sake and the cat's. Tapeworm treatments can include medication such as Biltricide and Albenza. Hookworms die on their own. Roundworms are treated with Vermox or Combantrin-1.
Prevention/Solution
-
Beyond keeping the environment clean, be aware of problems before coming into contact with them. Worms can be seen in your cat's stool. Noticing fleas on or around your cat is another sign that there may be a worm problem. If your cat is vomiting check for signs of worms.
-
