You can get a life-threatening disease from a dog

This is about echinococcosis. Moreover, you can get infected with this parasite not only from homeless mongrels, but also from domestic dogs.

What is echinococcosis and why should we be afraid of it?

– This is a chronic helminthic disease. It manifests itself in the fact that cysts containing the larvae of the Echinococcus tapeworms can form in the liver and lungs, and less often in other organs, – explains the epidemiologist.

Echinococcosis is severe, in most cases the disease leads to disability or death of the infected person.

Another danger is that Echinococcus helminths are capable of creating cysts in which they survive adverse conditions. As a result, echinococcosis can manifest itself even several years after the date of infection.

Lung damage starts with an allergic reaction, itching, migraines, severe fatigue, tuberculosis, and other "dormant" infections.

If echinococcus settles in the liver, jaundice appears, as well as pain in the lower back and right arm.

You can become infected with echinococcus through banal contact with a sick dog, skin scrapings, poorly washed greens, fruits, berries, and contaminated water.

To avoid getting sick, it is important to follow hygiene rules after interacting with a dog, not allowing your dog to lick your face, not sleeping in the same bed with your pet, and vaccinating your pets.