Parasites, Internal Medicine FAQ

Concerns About Infection and Parasites from Snail Contact

Infection and parasitic issues? Hello, Doctor. 1. If I accidentally kicked a snail while wearing flip-flops (and I'm not sure if my foot made direct contact with the snail), and afterwards I wiped my foot with a wet wipe, is there a concern about parasitic infection? 2. I...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
1. As long as there are no obvious wounds on the foot, it will not occur. 2. Yes, it can occur. Dupuytren's contracture is caused by repetitive irritation leading to chronic inflammation. Reducing the irritation is an important part of treatment, and you can consult a derm...

Eating Undercooked Pork Chops: Risks and What to Do Next

Eating undercooked pork chops? Hello Dr. Lin, on the evening of June 28, I ate a pork chop (rib) that my family cooked. I only realized that the meat near the bone was undercooked and still red when I bit into it. I wasn't paying attention while using my phone, so I'm n...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Parasites are killed by freezing! Therefore, meat that has been frozen is less likely to carry the risk of transmitting parasites. Undercooked meat usually has a higher bacterial load, but if you don't experience diarrhea within a day or two, there is typically no significan...

Concerns Over Raw Okinawan Sausage: Risks of Parasites and Symptoms

Accidental ingestion of "Ryukyu" raw sausage? I ate raw Okinawan sausage and fresh pork while barbecuing in the Ryukyu Islands. It was left at room temperature and labeled as raw food. After doing some research, I found out that Okinawan sausage does not use nitrates fo...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
The chance of contracting pork tapeworm from a single consumption of raw pork is very low. The pork tapeworm does not reproduce in the human body, so unless there is repeated exposure, the likelihood of experiencing symptoms due to the parasite is relatively low. In fact, there a...

Understanding Parasite Risks and Health Concerns in Contaminated Water

Regarding parasitic issues? Hello Doctor, my name is Yang, and I am a female. I would like to ask about a parasitic issue. Around 2014, about eight years ago, I operated a clothing store in a wet market, which had a rather dirty environment. I used water that was offered to the E...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
It has been too long since 2014, and even if there was a single exposure to bacteria or parasites at that time, it cannot explain the subsequent symptoms you mentioned. I recommend seeing a nephrologist to investigate the cause of the proteinuria. If you are experiencing recurren...

Understanding Parasite and Infection Risks from Snail Contact

Parasitic and Infectious Issues Hello Doctor, I am the questioner from <a href="https://adoctor.tw/article/197160">#197160</a>. I tend to feel anxious and nervous, so I would like to confirm the following questions with you: 1. If I handle a snail while we...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
1. The risk is very low. 2. The risk of transmission from a single contact is actually very minimal; it is advised that if you feel fine, there is no need for special concern. 3. The risk from occasional touching is also low, but it is still recommended to wash your hands aft...

Preventing Parasite and Infection Risks from Snails: Expert Advice

Parasitic and Infectious Issues Hello, Doctor. 1. If I pick up a snail (likely an African giant snail) from a pile of grass by hand and then wash my hands with soap, will that prevent parasites and bacteria? What is the proper way to handle this situation? 2. If I touch a snai...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
1. Yes. Parasites and bacteria primarily invade through the gastrointestinal tract. If you wash your hands promptly after touching something, you can effectively remove parasites and bacteria, which generally minimizes the risk of infection. 2. If handwashing is thorough, there...

Concerns About Cockroach Contact: Risks and Precautions for Foot Wounds

A person with a wound on their athlete's foot stepped barefoot on a cockroach? 1. Given your situation, the likelihood of contracting a cockroach-related disease from stepping on a cockroach is low, especially since the cockroach did not come into direct contact with your ex...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: 1. The chances are very low, as it is merely encountering a cockroach and not being bitten by one. 2. Typically, the risk is higher when consuming food or water contaminated by cockroaches; similar cases are rarely encountered in Taiwan. 3. Different types of parasites or ...

Can Slug Mucus Spread Parasites in Your Home? Health Risks Explained

Slugs are crawling all over the house? Hello, doctor. I have seen reports that the mucus secreted by mollusks such as snails, slugs, and other soft-bodied animals can contain the parasitic worm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. A few days ago, a large slug about 10 centimeters long cr...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
The pathogen of Guangdong blood fluke infection is the Guangdong blood fluke. In 1933, Mr. Chen Xintao first discovered this parasite in the lungs (pulmonary arteries) of rats while investigating parasites in the black rat and brown rat in Guangdong Province, China. In 1937, a Ja...

Concerns About Eating Food Touched by Cockroaches: What You Need to Know

Eating food that has been crawled on by cockroaches? This morning, I saw a piece of cake on the table and, without thinking much, I assumed it was breakfast and ate it. However, my brother told me that it had been on the table since yesterday, and the important part is that he sa...

Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Cockroaches carry bacteria, and the most severe consequence can be food poisoning leading to diarrhea; however, there should not be any issues with parasites. I recommend that you drink plenty of water, as it can help dilute potential bacterial...

Concerns About Eating Undercooked Pork: Do You Need Medical Attention?

Eating undercooked pork in barbecue? When eating barbecue, I thought it was beef and consumed it medium-rare, only to later discover it was pork! Doctor, I have two questions: 1. Is it necessary to see an infectious disease specialist for this situation? 2. Is the prevalence of t...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. According to the information from the Centers for Disease Control in Taiwan, a member of the indigenous community in Hualien County, Peng Zhao-xi, frequently consumed raw wild boar meat. Over a month ago, he developed a hard lump on the inner side of his left thigh. After exam...

Concerns About Eating Undercooked Pork: Do You Need to See an Infectious Disease Specialist?

Eating undercooked pork in barbecue? When eating barbecue, I thought it was beef and consumed it medium-rare, only to later find out it was pork! Doctor, I have two questions: 1. Is it necessary to see an infectious disease specialist for this situation? 2. Is the prevalence of t...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. According to the information from the Centers for Disease Control in Taiwan, a member of the indigenous community in Hualien County, Peng Zhaoxi, frequently consumed raw wild boar meat. Over a month ago, he developed a hard lump on the inner side of his left thigh. After exami...

Concerns About Pork Tapeworm Infection After Handling Fresh Pork

Pork tapeworm parasite This morning, I went to the market to buy pork (ground pork). The vendor said the pork was freshly slaughtered. After I brought it home and handled it, I forgot to wash my hands, but I did use alcohol to disinfect them before eating. Is there a risk of para...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
No; you can refer to the information from the Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/ListContent/AHwuigegBBBmuDcbWkzoGQ?uaid=T0MRJj8KVycdb4ZS6EGu_g. In Hualien County, an indigenous man named Peng Zhaoxi frequently consumed raw wild boar meat. Over a month a...

Concerns Over Mysterious Particles on Cooked Squid Rings: Health Risks?

The cooked squid rings are covered with unidentified granular substances? Recently, I dined at a Vietnamese restaurant and noticed that the squid rings in the rice noodles had a dense layer of greenish-yellow granular substances. When I inquired with the staff, they claimed it wa...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello! I understand your concerns, but to be honest, based on your description, I cannot confirm what exactly it is, making it difficult to assess its potential impact on the human body. Generally, parasites or their eggs are very sensitive to high temperatures; a slight exposure...

Concerns About Parasite Infection After Using Contaminated Water

Parasitic issues? Dear Doctor, I stayed overnight in a rural area where the washing facilities only had a faucet without a showerhead and no hot water supply. It had not been used for about six months, and when I turned it on, I noticed some filamentous floating substances resemb...

Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
1. Parasitic infections are primarily transmitted through contact routes, such as oral ingestion (via drinking water or food) or external parasites (like scabies). Therefore, when traveling to the outdoors or Southeast Asia, remember to wear long sleeves and avoid consuming untre...

Concerns About Parasite Infection After Eating Snail in Vegetables

Parasitic issues? Hello Doctor: I have a habit of steaming vegetables. However, during dinner the day before yesterday, I accidentally bit into a small snail (and even broke its shell) in the vegetables. Although I immediately spat it out, I am still worried about the risk of par...

Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. It is impossible to predict whether all of them are cooked. 2. Unless one is traveling to areas with a high prevalence of parasites, such as Africa, or during outbreaks of infections, preventive medication is rarely necessary. 3. If there are gastrointestinal discomfort...

Concerns About Hookworm Infection After Stepping in Dog Waste

Stepping barefoot on dog feces? On my way to class today (wearing flip-flops), I accidentally stepped in dog feces without noticing it on the ground. Although I was wearing flip-flops, my foot still came into contact with it. I found some tissue to clean my foot about twenty minu...

Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, based on the situation you mentioned, the likelihood of a parasitic infection is very low. It is recommended to monitor the condition, provided there are no subsequent symptoms of fever or lymphadenopathy. Thank you for your inquiry.

Food Safety: Handling Raw and Cooked Foods to Prevent Infections

Raw and Cooked Food Issues Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask you a few questions: 1. After defrosting raw food in the microwave, can I directly microwave it again to cook? Will the cooked food have bacteria from the raw food? (I have already eaten the cooked food but am concer...

Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, 1. It is best to consume food that has been defrosted in the microwave immediately, as leaving it out for too long can lead to bacterial growth; however, there are no concerns regarding parasites. 2. Washing your hands frequently can help prevent infections. 3. Yes, us...

Can You Get Parasites from Playing on the Playground?

Are there parasites on the playground? Today at school, while playing baseball, I was supposed to catch a fly ball but accidentally made a mistake and ended up licking a large area of the ball with my tongue. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I'm a bit worried because I saw t...

Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, there are likely more bacteria on the playground, and the chances of human parasitic infections are low, so it is unlikely to contract a parasitic infection. Thank you for your question.

Concerns About Eating Undercooked Meat: Infection Risks Explained

Ingestion of raw food? Hello doctor, I usually cook braised pork at home, but today I got home late from work and saw a pot of what I thought was braised pork and fish balls in the refrigerator. Since it was late, I didn't heat it up properly and ate three fish balls floatin...

Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello, the chance of parasites is low because the meatballs are usually frozen, and parasites die when frozen. However, the bacteria in undercooked food can be higher, which may lead to some stomach discomfort or diarrhea, but it is unlikely to cause serious consequences, so ther...

Is It Safe to Eat Leftover Sashimi? Risks and Concerns Explained

Eating leftover sashimi can have effects. Sashimi is raw fish, and if it is not stored properly or consumed within a safe timeframe, it can pose a risk of foodborne illnesses due to bacterial growth or parasites. It is generally recommended to consume sashimi fresh and to refrige...

Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, the impact of parasites is relatively minor; the main concern is the consumption of raw food that has been left overnight, which can lead to significant bacterial growth. This increases the risk of bacterial gastroenteritis. Please be cautious of symptoms such as fever, ab...

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