Heartworm Transmission to Humans: Risks & Causes

Heartworms most commonly are found in dogs. However, in rare occasions, they may be passed to humans. The heartworms may be passed through zoonotic diseases, which are diseases caused by infectious agents that are transmitted between animals and humans.

Dirofilaria Immitis

• Dirofilaria immitis is a parasite that is spread between dogs through mosquitoes and the blood they obtain. The human may get the disease by getting bit by the same mosquito that has bitten a dog with heart worms. The disease is then inside the human body and causes the human to develop heart worms.

Infection

• When the person is infected with the larva, the immune system will normally recognize the parasite in the body and destroy it. However, in rare cases, the larva will find its way into the person's lungs where it will then stimulate an inflammatory lesion.

Symptoms

• Most people infected with the heartworms will not experience any symptoms. If a person does experience symptoms they can include chest pain, a cough, fever, spitting blood and difficulty breathing.

Diagnosis

• If one suspects they have heartworms, they should see a doctor. The doctor will take a chest X-ray through which the lesions will be detected. In extreme cases, the doctor may need to do an excision or biopsy in order to pinpoint the heartworm infection directly.

Prognosis

• Currently, no humans have died from cases of heartworm disease. However, the human body is a great host for heartworms to grow and live. The treatment of heartworm disease can include healing the symptoms.