Angiostrongyliasis is an infection by a roundworm of the Angiostrongylus type. Symptoms may vary from none, to mild, to meningitis.Infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) can occur after ingestion of raw or undercooked snails or slugs, and less likely unwashed fruits and vegetables. In humans, A. cantonensis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Frequently the infection will resolve without treatment or serious consequences, but in cases with a heavy load of parasites the infection can be so severe it can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system or death. Symptoms
Infection first presents with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness, which gradually lessens and progresses to fever, and then to central nervous system (CNS) symptoms and severe headache and stiffness of the neck. CNS infection
CNS symptoms begin with mild cognitive impairment and slowed reactions, and in a very severe form often progress to unconsciousness. Patients may present with neuropathic pain early in the infection. Eventually, severe infection will lead to ascending weakness, quadriparesis, areflexia, respiratory failure, and muscle atrophy, and will lead to death if not treated. Occasionally patients present with cranial nerve palsies, usually in nerves 7 and 8, and rarely larvae will enter ocular structures. Even with treatment, damage to the CNS may be permanent and result in a variety of negative outcomes depending on the location of the infection, and the patient may experience chronic pain as a result of infection. Eye invasion
Symptoms of eye invasion include visual impairment, pain, keratitis, and retinal edema.
Vocal cord hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the vocal cords ruptures, which results in leakage of blood into the superficial lamina propria and dysphonia (hoarseness). The rupture usually results from overly forceful or incorrect vocalization, and may be a one-time occurrence or occur repeatedly. According to News Medical.net, "professional singers are at an increased risk of vocal hemorrhage, particularly in cases where gruelling performance schedules are followed". The treatment is  vocal rest as failure to rest the voice can result in permanent scarring. == References ==