9-Year-Old Boy Tests Positive for Toxocara (Dog Roundworm) After Long Period of Being Mistaken for Ordinary Eye Itching
About a week ago, Medic Sai Gon Clinic in Da Nang received a male customer who brought his 9-year-old son in for testing as prescribed by a doctor.
He shared that the boy had been experiencing itching around the corners of his eyes for quite a long time. Initially, the family assumed the cause was frequent phone and TV usage, so they simply purchased over-the-counter eye drops for him. However, over time, the boy’s condition not only failed to improve but progressively worsened—he experienced increased eye itching, a gradual decline in vision, and the appearance of a cloudy film covering his eye.
Upon gathering further clinical history, the family revealed that they keep a pet dog at home. Believing that the dog was well-cared for and kept clean, the family was not overly concerned and allowed the boy to frequently hug, kiss, and maintain close contact with the pet.
When they brought the child to the hospital for an examination, the doctor diagnosed him with conjunctivitis. At the same time, based on clinical symptoms and epidemiological factors, the doctor ordered a Toxocara (dog roundworm) antibody test to investigate a potential parasitic cause.
After gathering all necessary information, the medical team at Medic Sai Gon Clinic in Da Nang quickly collected the sample and performed the test for the child. The results came as a complete shock to the family: the boy tested positive for the Toxocara parasite at a very high level, approximately 8.315 OD.
A few days later, the father returned to the clinic to proactively get screened as well. The results showed that he was also positive for Toxocara, though at a lower concentration compared to his son.
After receiving the results and getting timely treatment for his child, the father expressed his gratitude to the clinic team:
“Thank you so much to the clinic. Thanks to your enthusiastic support and fast turnaround time for results, I was able to get my child into treatment early and detect my own condition in time. Currently, my son is receiving treatment at the hospital and his health has stabilized. In the near future, I will also bring my wife in to get screened. Thank you again to the entire team.”
Parasites Can Enter the Body Without Presenting Any Symptoms
Toxocara is a common parasite found in dogs and cats. Humans can contract the infection by accidentally ingesting worm eggs present in soil, dust, or food, or through contaminated hands after contact with an environment containing pet feces. It is important to note that keeping a dog indoors or bathing it frequently does not guarantee it is completely free of parasites. Therefore, regular pet deworming, along with practicing proper hand hygiene before eating and after contact with pets, are essential steps to reduce the risk of transmission.
This case illustrates how Toxocara parasite infections can develop silently with non-specific symptoms, making them easily mistaken for other health conditions without a proper medical evaluation and appropriate diagnostic testing. When experiencing persistent symptoms such as itching, skin rashes, declining vision, or other unexplained issues—especially for individuals in frequent contact with dogs or cats—seeking evaluation at a medical facility for professional diagnosis and necessary testing is strongly recommended.
Reputable Parasite Testing Facility in Da Nang
Nowadays, parasite testing is no longer unfamiliar to the public. However, not every laboratory offers this specific service.
Medic Sai Gon in Da Nang has provided parasite and helminth (worm) testing services for many years. With an experienced team of technicians and high-quality equipment, Medic Sai Gon consistently meets the testing needs of both local residents and international visitors in Da Nang.
Parasite testing at Medic Sai Gon Clinic ensures high accuracy by running samples in parallel alongside lab verification. Additionally, sample collection and result turnaround times are fast, with affordable pricing tailored to client needs. Please refer to the parasite testing price list below.
Price List: Comprehensive Parasite Testing Package in Da Nang
For full details and inquiries, please contact: MEDIC SAI GON DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC IN DA NANG
- Address: 97 Hai Phong, Da Nang
- Hotline / Zalo / WhatsApp: 0914 496 516
