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PubMed This is a summary of 18 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated
Infectious Disease

Prevention and Long-Term Care: Protecting Your Family

At a Glance

Preventing toxocariasis requires routine pet deworming, covering sandboxes, and strict handwashing after outdoor play. For long-term care, children are monitored through blood tests and eye exams to track recovery and catch late-developing complications like retinal scarring.

Preventing toxocariasis requires a One Health approach—the recognition that human health is deeply connected to the health of our animals and our shared environment [1][2]. By managing risks across all three areas, we can significantly reduce the chance of initial infection or reinfection.

1. Protecting the Household: Pet Health

Dogs and cats are the “definitive hosts” for Toxocara, meaning they are the only animals where the worms grow into adults and produce eggs [3].

  • What to Do Now: You do not need to quarantine your pet from your children. Instead, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for a comprehensive deworming treatment, and practice strict handwashing after touching the pet until they are cleared [4][5].
  • Routine Deworming: Puppies and kittens pose the highest risk because they shed the most eggs [6]. Follow your veterinarian’s strict deworming protocol, often starting at 2 weeks of age and continuing monthly throughout the first year [4][7].
  • Waste Management: Clean up pet feces in your yard immediately and dispose of them in a sealed bag. This prevents eggs from accumulating and “aging” in the soil, which is when they become infectious to humans [8][3].

2. Safeguarding the Environment

  • Sandbox Safety: Sandboxes are a high-risk “reservoir” because cats often use them as litter boxes. Always keep sandboxes covered when not in use [9][10].
  • Hand Hygiene: Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing in dirt, sand, or at public parks, and before eating [5].
  • Food Safety: Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or organ meats (like liver) from cattle, poultry, or wild game [11][12]. Freezing meat before cooking can also help inactivate larvae [12].

3. Long-Term Monitoring for Your Child

If your child has already been diagnosed, the focus shifts to ensuring the infection has fully resolved and preventing permanent damage.

  • Tracking Blood Markers: Your doctor will likely use the Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) as a guide. A steady drop in these cells is one of the best indicators that the infection is receding [13][14].
  • Radiological Follow-up: If your child had liver or lung lesions, be aware that these can take a long time to disappear. Liver “abscesses” from the larvae may still be visible on scans for up to two years, even if your child feels completely fine [13].
  • Ocular Vigilance: For Ocular Larva Migrans (OLM), long-term monitoring by an eye specialist is essential [15]. Because the eye is so delicate, doctors need to watch for late-developing complications like scarring or retinal issues [16][17].

Summary of Preventive Actions

Area Action Step Why It Matters
Pets Monthly deworming of all household dogs/cats [4]. Stops the production of infectious eggs.
Play Cover sandboxes and wash hands after outdoor play [10]. Reduces direct contact with contaminated soil.
Food Cook meat to safe temperatures; avoid raw liver [11]. Kills larvae in “paratenic” host tissues.
Medical Serial blood tests (AEC) and eye exams [13][15]. Ensures the infection is resolved and preserves vision.

While a diagnosis is stressful, these steps provide a clear roadmap to keep your family safe and healthy moving forward [5][18]. For a refresher on the basics of this condition, return to the Home Page.

Common questions in this guide

How can I prevent my child from getting toxocariasis?
Prevention involves regularly deworming household pets, covering sandboxes when not in use, and teaching children to wash their hands after playing outside. It is also important to cook meat thoroughly to kill any potential parasite larvae.
Do I need to keep my pet away from my children after a toxocariasis diagnosis?
No, you do not need to quarantine your pet. Instead, take your pet to the veterinarian for a comprehensive deworming treatment and ensure everyone practices strict handwashing after interacting with the pet until they are cleared.
How will the doctor monitor my child's toxocariasis recovery?
Doctors typically track your child's Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) through regular blood tests. A steady decrease in these specific white blood cells is a strong indicator that the infection is receding.
How long does it take for liver lesions from toxocariasis to go away?
Liver lesions or abscesses caused by toxocariasis larvae can take up to two years to completely disappear on radiological scans like MRIs or CTs. This can happen even if your child feels perfectly healthy.
Why does my child need long-term eye exams for Ocular Larva Migrans (OLM)?
The eye is very delicate, and complications from OLM, such as retinal issues or scarring, can develop late. Regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist ensures any delayed complications are caught and managed early to preserve vision.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.What is the long-term follow-up schedule for my child's blood work (AEC and Toxocara titers)?
  2. 2.If my child had Ocular Larva Migrans, how often do we need to see an ophthalmologist to check for late-stage complications?
  3. 3.Since liver lesions can take up to two years to resolve on scans, when should we schedule the next follow-up imaging (MRI or CT)?
  4. 4.Are there any specific 'red flags' I should look for that might suggest the infection is flaring up again?
  5. 5.Can you review my pet's deworming protocol to ensure it is sufficient to protect my family?

Questions For You

Tap a prompt to share your answer — we'll use it plus this page's context to start a tailored conversation.

References

References (18)
  1. 1

    Toxocariasis, risk and protective factors, and mental health difficulties in early childhood: a comparison of marginalised Roma communities and the majority population.

    Fiľakovská Bobáková D, Kalinova Z, Hatalová E, Halanova M

    Parasitology research 2025; (124(9)):106 doi:10.1007/s00436-025-08557-2.

    PMID: 40965732
  2. 2

    Visceral larva migrans among hospitalized patients in Poland: analysis of national hospital discharge data from 2014 to 2023.

    Kanecki K, Lewtak K, Szot P, et al.

    Scientific reports 2025; (15(1)):34752 doi:10.1038/s41598-025-18345-8.

    PMID: 41053128
  3. 3

    First quantitative assessment of the effects of parasite control in dogs and cats in the UK.

    Giannelli A, Antonopoulos A, Elsheikha HM, et al.

    Parasites & vectors 2025; (18(1)):498 doi:10.1186/s13071-025-07137-8.

    PMID: 41351052
  4. 4

    Survey of German pet owners quantifying endoparasitic infection risk and implications for deworming recommendations.

    Strube C, Neubert A, Springer A, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G

    Parasites & vectors 2019; (12(1)):203 doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3410-2.

    PMID: 31053079
  5. 5

    Prevalence of Toxocara infection and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang, China.

    Yang Y, Zhong D, Wu H, et al.

    Infectious diseases of poverty 2025; (14(1)):43 doi:10.1186/s40249-025-01312-w.

    PMID: 40468417
  6. 6

    Soil-transmitted helminth eggs in public areas of Azores archipelago, Portugal.

    Teixeira R, Lozano J, Flor I, et al.

    Parasitology international 2026; (111()):103166 doi:10.1016/j.parint.2025.103166.

    PMID: 40915596
  7. 7

    French national survey of dog and cat owners on the deworming behaviour and lifestyle of pets associated with the risk of endoparasites.

    Roussel C, Drake J, Ariza JM

    Parasites & vectors 2019; (12(1)):480 doi:10.1186/s13071-019-3712-4.

    PMID: 31610795
  8. 8

    Prevalence and risk factors for patent Toxocara infections in cats and cat owners' attitude towards deworming.

    Nijsse R, Ploeger HW, Wagenaar JA, Mughini-Gras L

    Parasitology research 2016; (115(12)):4519-4525 doi:10.1007/s00436-016-5242-8.

    PMID: 27637227
  9. 9

    Prevalence of Toxocara eggs in Latin American parks: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    Bonilla-Aldana DK, Morales-Garcia LV, Ulloque Badaracco JR, et al.

    Le infezioni in medicina 2023; (31(3)):329-349 doi:10.53854/liim-3103-7.

    PMID: 37701393
  10. 10

    Environmental Contamination of Different Areas of Isfahan Province of Iran with Toxocara spp. Eggs using Molecular Methods.

    Pourshahbazi G, Khanahmad H, Khadivi R, et al.

    Advanced biomedical research 2022; (11()):72 doi:10.4103/abr.abr_36_22.

    PMID: 36325171
  11. 11

    Serosurvey and associated risk factors of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in bovines from slaughterhouses of southeastern Brazil.

    Giudice PAF, Lescano SAZ, Gonzáles WHR, et al.

    Parasites & vectors 2021; (14(1)):250 doi:10.1186/s13071-021-04755-w.

    PMID: 33975623
  12. 12

    Detection of Toxocara cati Larvae from Ostrich and Wild Boar Meat Intended for Human Consumption.

    Michelutti A, Sgubin S, Falcaro C, et al.

    Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) 2021; (10(10)) doi:10.3390/pathogens10101290.

    PMID: 34684239
  13. 13

    Hepatic visceral larva migrans, a resilient entity on imaging: Experience from a tertiary liver center.

    Laroia ST, Rastogi A, Bihari C, et al.

    Tropical parasitology 2016; (6(1)):56-68 doi:10.4103/2229-5070.175100.

    PMID: 26998435
  14. 14

    Clinical course and treatment outcomes of toxocariasis-related eosinophilic disorder.

    Yoon SY, Baek S, Park SY, et al.

    Medicine 2018; (97(37)):e12361 doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012361.

    PMID: 30212995
  15. 15

    Ocular Toxocariasis Associated with Blurred Vision and Visual Impairment: Report of Four Cases.

    Zibaei M, Mahdavi FS, Firoozeh F, et al.

    Iranian journal of parasitology 2022; (17(1)):118-123 doi:10.18502/ijpa.v17i1.9034.

    PMID: 36046564
  16. 16

    [Toxocariasis in children: analysis of 85 cases in a paediatric hospital in Argentina].

    Juárez XS, Delgado M, Matteucci ED, et al.

    Revista chilena de infectologia : organo oficial de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia 2021; (38(6)):761-767 doi:10.4067/s0716-10182021000600761.

    PMID: 35506849
  17. 17

    Prevalence of Toxocara antibodies among patients clinically suspected to have ocular toxocariasis: A retrospective descriptive study in Sri Lanka.

    Iddawela D, Ehambaram K, Bandara P

    BMC ophthalmology 2017; (17(1)):50 doi:10.1186/s12886-017-0444-0.

    PMID: 28438141
  18. 18

    Review of Toxocariasis at a Children's Hospital Prompting Need for Public Health Interventions.

    Fortini MB, Erickson TA, Leining LM, et al.

    The Pediatric infectious disease journal 2023; (42(10)):862-866 doi:10.1097/INF.0000000000004042.

    PMID: 37625080

This page provides educational information about toxocariasis prevention and monitoring. Always consult your pediatrician, ophthalmologist, or veterinarian for specific medical or pet care advice.

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