Can a human get worms from swallowing a flea (like a dog)?

Question

I pay a lot of money to live in my apartment (way too much) and they are so inconsiderate they won't even spray the grass for fleas and it's so bad that when I go out into my yard to let me dog urinate and come right back inside I have them all over my legs (14 fleas one time on both legs). I have noticed them in my dog's water bowl 2 times; I immediately cleaned it. Btw it's always clean. Anyhoo I was drinking something out of a glass yesterday and felt something go down my throat with the drink and I'm worried now. ha ha.

1. Can a human get worms from swallowing a flea?

2. What can you do when you've asked the apartment complex to spray for fleas and they don't? Other people have complained and they are BAD.

Thanks.

Answer 1

People and pets don't get worms from swallowing fleas. They get them by swallowing worm eggs or cysts containing worm larvae. Eggs are spread fecal-orally, via p**p particles in dirt. Larval cysts are usually found in undercooked contaminated meat. For what it's worth, this is not a huge problem in the US and most of the industrialized world. The vast majority of the tapeworm cases I have dealt with were in immigrants.

With that said, your real problem is with fleas. You can call your local environmental health department and complain about the fleas around your complex. However that may not be enough to warrant action on their part. It should be, though, since fleas can carry the plague. Still, it is worth a shot. In the meantime, make sure your dog's flea collar is replaced on a regular basis.

As for the water glass, I don't think that's a problem.