Which parasites are also contagious to humans?

• A. Roundworms and Hookworms
• B. Tapeworms
• C. Heartworms
• D. Whipworms

Answer: (A)

The key idea is zoonotic transmission: some parasites that infect dogs can also infect people. The most well-known dog parasites that are contagious to humans are roundworms and hookworms. Humans can ingest eggs shed in dog feces, which can cause infections and tissue migration with roundworms. Hookworm larvae in contaminated soil can penetrate the skin, causing skin and tissue symptoms. Heartworms rely on a mosquito in their life cycle and do not typically infect humans, so they’re not contagious to people. Tapeworms can infect humans, but transmission from dogs is less common and often involves fleas or undercooked meat rather than direct dog-to-human spread. Whipworms in dogs are primarily a canine issue, with human infection being uncommon.