Cats, Roundworms & Kids

Roundworms are just one of many different types of internal parasites that can be transmitted between cats and humans. Roundworms are large, white worms that are similar in appearance to spaghetti. The Centers for Disease Control states that a single female worm can produce more than 100,000 eggs every day. Without treatment, these parasites, also known as ascarids, can cause serious illness in both adults and children.

  1. Transmission

    • Roundworms are easily transmitted, and according to Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD of the University of Maryland, as many as 1 billion people are affected by roundworms worldwide. An infected cat needs only to release his feces for these worms to spread. The eggs from the feces can contaminate any surface including outdoor soil, grass or a child's sandbox. When a child touches a contaminated area and then touches her mouth and ingests the eggs, infection can begin.

    Ocular Larva Migrans

    • Ocular larva migrans is a type of disease that occurs when the roundworm larvae migrate to the eyes. Holly Nash, DVM of PetEducation.com, states that this condition often occurs in children between the ages of 7 and 8. Once in the eye, the parasite can cause loss of vision, ocular pain and cause permanent blindness. Aside from symptoms related directly to the eye, many children do not show any other symptoms of illness.

    Visceral Larva Migrans

    • Visceral larva migrans is more common than the ocular counterpart. Nash states that visceral larva migrans usually occurs in children between the ages of 1 and 4. It is common among children who eat dirt. Signs of visceral larva migrans include fever, coughing, wheezing or skin rashes. In severe cases, this disease can cause other issues such as encephalitis, myocarditis and seizures. Left untreated, roundworms can cause death.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Children who are ill may undergo several tests before roundworm is suspected. Diagnostic tools that may be used to confirm roundworms include stool samples, urine samples, blood tests, ultrasounds for possible worms in the lymph nodes, abdominal X-rays to detect larger worms or samples of the contents of the small intestine. Once roundworms are confirmed, the child will require anti-parasitic medications. Some children will need to undergo surgical removal of the worms. In severe cases, veterinarian Dr. Dan of the PetStuff Online Newsletter and Woodside Veterinary Hospital notes that surgical removal of the eye may be necessary.

    Prevention and Protection

    • Children need to be taught good hygiene at a young age. Washing hands after handling pets or playing outside is a necessity. Cats should also be kept up-to-date will all vaccines and de-wormed regularly to prevent the spread of roundworms. All fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly and all meats should be cooked thoroughly before consuming. If roundworms are confirmed in a child, all clothing, towels, linens and so forth should be thoroughly washed in hot water. Toilets should be bleached and scrubbed,and overall, the house should be cleaned to remove any eggs and prevent reinfection or spreading of the worms.