Is roundworm dangerous?

Roundworm is the main cause of roundworm disease and eosinophilic meningitis. Roundworms commonly reside in the pulmonary arteries of mice and snails are the main intermediate hosts, where roundworm larvae develop until they infect other individuals.
Why are roundworms so diverse? Because they include animals that live in a wide range of environments. The total number of nematode species is estimated to be about 1 million species because of almost all marine ecosystems such as freshwater, soil, terrestrial environments, deserts, ocean trenches, and the Earth's lithosphere. The occurrence of nematodes accounts for about 80% of all animals on Earth, diverse in life cycles, present at different nutritional levels in ecosystems.
Humans get roundworms if they eat the larvae in raw or undercooked snails, other infectious hosts, and contaminated water and vegetables. When roundworm larvae enter the human body, some time will be transported through the blood to the central nervous system, causing eosinophilic meningitis, death or permanent brain and nerve damage.

If a person has a roundworm infestation, the following signs may be present:
Severe abdominal pain, nausea and fatigue. The above symptoms will be relieved, but then the patient will have a fever Severe CNS infection: Symptoms of CNS infection often make the patient unconscious, early neuropathic pain when infected, weakness, quadriplegia, loss of reflexes, respiratory failure, muscle atrophy, and death if untreated. Cranial nerve palsy Roundworms can penetrate the eye causing visual impairment, pain, keratitis and retinal edema.

Early diagnosis and treatment of roundworm disease can prevent further progression and dangerous complications of the disease. However, there is currently no specific treatment for roundworm infections. A few supportive treatments can reduce headache severity and duration of symptoms.

Prevention of roundworm infections includes:
People residing in or traveling to places where the parasites have been found are not to eat raw or undercooked snails, freshwater shrimp, land crabs, frogs and lizards or potentially contaminated vegetables. Getting rid of snails and mice found near homes and yards will also help reduce the risk. Wash hands and utensils thoroughly after handling raw snails. Vegetables need to be washed thoroughly if eaten raw.