Ask Dr. Fling

Q: My cat was recently diagnosed with round worms. Should I worry about my children being near the cat with this problem?

A: Pet parasites can be transmitted to people, so caution should be exercised. Round worms are of particular concern. Children especially may be at risk of exposure to round worm infection by playing with dirt or sand that is contaminated with fecal material and then putting dirty fingers in the mouth. children infected with roundworms are often misdiagnosed as having the flu. Symptoms can range from intestinal upset to vision loss and life threatening illness. To avoid risk to your children, carefully remove pet wastes daily and encourage your children to wash their hands thoroughly after handling pets, and follow your pet's doctor's deworming instructions completely.