Key Points
- Symptoms will differ depending on the type of infection.
- Parasites may move into internal organs or infect an eye.
- However, many people never show any symptoms.
Overview
Many people infected with Toxocara parasites never develop symptoms or get sick.
In people who have visceral toxocariasis, when the parasite moves into organs like the liver or central nervous system, the most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Enlarged liver
People who have ocular toxocariasis, when the parasite moves into an eye, might have:
- Irritation or redness of the eye
- Seeing spots or flashes of light
- Loss of vision
- An abnormally colored pupil
Typically, ocular toxocariasis affects only one eye.