Heartworms are something that most pet owners associate with their dogs, and in rare cases with their cats. Once you know that a pet you have come into contact with has heartworms, you may worry about getting them yourself. While many believe that this is purely a pet disease, there have been some reported cases of heartworm in humans.
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Where Heartworms Come From
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Understanding where heartworms come from can help you understand why, although it is rare, humans can become infected with heartworm in addition to their pets, though the dogs are not responsible for the transmission of the heartworm to their owner. Where can a human come in contact with the heartworm? Unfortunately, if you live in an area with mosquitoes, it is possible for you to become infected.
Becoming Infected with the Heartworm
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While the mosquito is responsible for passing the parasite along, it is not about simply coming into contact with mosquito. What happens is that the mosquito bites one animal that is infected and eats the larvae while feeding. The larvae continue to evolve inside of the mosquito, which then bites a person or a dog, then passing on the larvae. The larvae then continue to evolve where they mature and move into other parts of the human body including the heart, lungs and connecting arteries.
Human Limitations of the Disease
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Luckily for humans, we are not a natural host for the heartworm parasite, so although we can become infected it usually does not develop into an actual case of heartworm disease. Unfortunately, the parasite can cause organ lesions that will present a lot like a lot of other diseases. While the worms will die, they may cause damage to the organs.
Symptoms of Heartworm Infection in Humans
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The symptoms of heartworm in a human are often very much the same as they are in canines. In many cases there is an immune system response from the worms dying, which can result in the growth of nodes, lesions and granulomas. Other symptoms include chest pain, a chronic cough, fatigue and unexplained fever.
Diagnosis
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The diagnosis of heartworm in humans is not straightforward because the worms usually die, just leaving behind organ damage. A chest X-ray will usually show the lesions on the heart, but they often look like tuberculosis or even cancer. When seen on the X-ray, further testing should be done, including and up to excision and biopsy. Usually humans will present with human pulmonary dirofilariasis, or HPD. Treatment for the condition will depend on severity of the lesions. In severe cases the lesions will be removed, in less serious cases an anti-parasitic medication such as ivermectin is given.
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