The symptoms of toxocariasis can vary depending on where in the body the infection occurs.
Most of the symptoms are caused by people having an allergic reaction to the larvae. In many cases, people are infected by the parasites but don't have any symptoms.
Covert toxocariasis is the most common and mildest form of the disease.
Symptoms include:
- cough
- difficulty sleeping
- stomach pain
- headaches
- swollen lymph glands
Children with covert toxocariasis may also show a change in their usual behaviour, such as appearing unusually irritable.
Symptoms of visceral larva migrans
Depending on what parts (or organs) of the body are infected with parasites, visceral larva migrans can cause a wide range of possible symptoms. These may include:
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- high temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or above
- coughing
- breathing difficulties
- stomach pain
- headaches
- skin rashes
- swollen lymph glands
- seizures (fits)
Ocular larva migrans
Symptoms of ocular larva migrans include:
- blurred or cloudy vision that usually only affects one eye
- a very red and painful affected eye
- sensitivity to light
Left untreated, it may result in permanent vision loss in the affected eye, although this is unlikely to happen.
