Are intestinal parasites contagious?

Answer 1

Sometimes it depends on the parasite but generally, YES. Most parasites are contracted by the fecal oral route. It means someone has them, doesn't wash their hands touches something that you touch, you put your hands in your mouth or eat food prepared by that person and you ingest the eggs. The eggs travel through your system. They usually hatch in your stomach or intestine and decide to live in your large or small intestine depending on the parasite. Some parasites also latch on to the inside of your intestine and feed. They take nutrients from you that you need- this is common with the diphyllobothrium latum parasite. Now if the parasite is pinworms, which is the most common-also called enterobius vermicularis, then anyone who is around the infected person normally gets it because the mother worm lays eggs on the outside of the rectum at night and when you get up in the morning you scratch and the eggs float in the air and land on everything. Therefore they are eaten, drank, or breathed in by anyone around and they get infected as well.

Answer 2

You didn't mention what type of parasites were found. In any case, intestinal parasites of kittens (and adult cats, dogs,etc.) are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans. This happens by fecal to oral transmission which doesn't mean that you have to have actual poop on your hands. The eggs are microscopic and are being shed so even if you have just been playing with your kittens or your kitten cleaned it's anal area during normal "bathing" and then licked your face for example, it is possible for you to get a parasite. Many intestinal parasites are able to cross the placenta and infect the fetus. To be on the safe side you should call your OBGYN and they will tell you what you should do. Most likely they will request a stool sample from you. Also, as mentioned by others, there is a parasite called Toxoplasmosis that cats (even kittens) can carry (they don't usually get sick themselves unless their immunity is compromised) and pass on to humans, usually when cleaning the litter box. Pregnant women should never clean litter box. Many people, if they have been around cats a lot, will already have been infected with Toxoplasmosis (flu-like symptoms) and not even know it. Then they build up antibodies and are now immune to it and your baby would also have that immunity in utero. You can have a titer drawn to see if you have the antibodies, however since you are already pregnant, would be useless since the test is not sensitive enough to tell if old or new infection. Please call your OBGYN, if nothing is found at least your mind will be at ease!! Hope this was helpful, good luck!!

Answer 3

Are Parasites Contagious

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Are intestinal parasites contagious?

Answer 5

Sorta. You couldn't get parasites from someone smooching you. But, you could get them if they take a poo in a tomato garden and you make yourself a tomato salad. I know it sounds gross, but I'm serious.

You can get salmonella more directly. Say a line cook at your favorite restaurant has it, doesn't wash his/her hands after they go #2, and they fix you a sammich, you are likely to get it. And salmonella is no picknic. I've had it. It sucks.

Answer 6

Of course Yes. But they dont spread from man to man or from fomites to man. They often (not always) have a host other than humans.
The common mode of spread is water borne, consumption of improperly cooked fish n meat / vegetables, Canines, poor personal hygiene.

Answer 7

where can I buy over the counter drugs for parasites?

Answer 8

Please see the webpage for more details and images on Intestinal parasite.

Answer 9

Not that I know of.