Has anyone every excessively worried about contracting parasites from your animals? Am I totally irr

I know this isn't seen as common or even possible to a lot of people, but I am still worried I have picked up a form of parasites from my kittens.

When I first got them, and took them to the vet to be dewormed, they started passing roundworms that night, some which were as thick as spaghetti noodles. Although I was grossed right out, I didn't believe they posed any sort of harm to me.
Multiple people including a vet, told me it's extremely rare to get them from cats and that people with compromised immune systems and children would be most susceptible.

They have been treated for the parasites 3 times so far since I've had them (they are almost 5 months now).
But they still get diarrhea and for that reason I wonder if it hasn't totally cleared up.
(This part might be gross to some, sorry for the TMI)
One day after I did my business in the bathroom, I turned to flush and I noticed that my stool had little white specks in it. They were very obviously not apart of the actual stool, they seemed to be round or oval like seeds. I didn't think much of it. But since noticing it, I've realized they are there, every single time I go. Curious about it, I googled it as well as searched for some info on YouTube and have been reading, that whatever the cause of the white specks.. They are not normal especially if they are reoccurring. Along with that, I've also noticed fatigue and loss of appetite.

Some of the possible causes I've learnt are
-problems with the liver
-inflammation of the gull bladder
-certain parasites
-IBS
-Or even just a bad diet and an extreme lack of nutrients
And several others.

What really got me though, were some YouTube videos, of people vlogging about their experiences with picking up parasites from their own animals. One lady even talked about how she contracted Roundworms from her pet, and although she has lupus, explained that it is possible even if uncommon for this to happen.
I also read a comment on a thread by a vet, that she takes anti-parasitic drugs every 6 months, and also that poor hygiene can contract roundworms.
Since becoming aware of this, I've started washing my hands more often... I'll admit, before I wouldn't wash them as much, although I did whenever I had to handle the litter. I just feel in my gut that contamination has definitely happened, due to when they were a lot younger and being dewormed, would have accidents everywhere... Obviously I cleaned this up... But maybe I wasn't cautious enough.

Basically I want to hear similar concerns and stories. This whole thing is driving me crazy now... Am I being irrational?

I'm scared to go to the doctor... Not just because I'm worried I will test positive for anything, but I'm worried the doctor will not take me seriously, or will suggest I see psychologist...

I understand in North America this isn't a common threat like it is in tropical climates, but with the information I've gathered, I personally know this can and does happen anywhere in the world, and I'm wondering if these specs and the fatigue / appetite symptoms are reasons enough for parasites to be a legitimate concern?

I feed mine (8) Diatomaceous Earth  every few months and I eat Bentonite Clay  must be Food Grade

If you eat Sushi you can have parasites....

Clay is dirt found dirt cheap bulk food section @ health food store.

Clays detox, kill any parasites, remove any bad bacteria from the body google for more info or just pm.

Diatomaceous earth kills tape worm naturally.

*Normal rational Question               https://draxe.com/diatomaceous-earth/

I'm quite surprised, maybe I live in an area where worms are more prevalent but I've always assumed they were pretty easy to get. I grew up being told to wash my hands thoroughly after handling a pet. I remember having much the same sort of crisis that you are having after playing with a bunch of newborn kittens when I was about 11 years old. I eventually came clean to my mother who bought me some over the counter medication, this was forty years ago. 

There are crappy doctors everywhere but I doubt you'd get the sort of reaction you fear. They would probably require a stool or urine sample or get you to take a blood test and that weight on your mind will be lifted like mine was. 

Thank you, maybe I'm just uninformed or niave. But yes several vets have told me it's not "theoretically" possible or at least very rare...

It's all starting to make me wonder if getting pets was too much pressure for me at this time in my life.
Although I don't make a lot of money I've still gotten them fixed, shots, dewormed as well as some other big expenses.
I'm just worried that I don't have the funds necessary to turn them into perfectly healthy cats, that won't pose this sort of threat to me or anyone else.

I thought I was a responsible pet owner, but I didn't consider everything and went into it not aware of this possibility

It is extremely rare to catch parasites from your pets.  Of course that means following some common sense rules.  Keeping litter boxes clean, washing your hands after scooping or changing out litter boxes, not handling litter waste directly with your hands  just common sense things like that.  If your kitties are indoor only then once the issue is cleared up they probably will not pick up another parasite.

Vets take extra precautions that we don't have to take which is understandable.  I know vet tech students here are required to get a rabies vaccination before going to their on the job training but that is an unnecessary precaution for those of us who own pets.

I have had cats for over 50 years and no one in my family has ever contracted a parasite from them. You can get worms from a lot of different sources, including just handling dirt outside. The same with colds and other viruses.If you are worried I would research it and see if there are any 'preventative' things you can incorporate into your life, although washing hands is the best preventative in the world.  As for what it costs to be a responsible pet owner, most of us are willing to sacrifice some things in our lives to have the love and companionship of a living creature. Spaying is expensive but only is a one time expense. Shots, wormers and most injuries can be administered at home after training and research. They are MUCH cheaper this way. I use Profender. a topical wormer for my cats, it is more expensive but only has to be administered once. I have to give this because my cats eat mice and rodents. If they are strictly inside many medications can be not administered at all, ask your vet. I have found over the years it is cheaper most of the time to be proactive, spaying helps with not having to feed more and more future cats, inoculations help with the horrendous cost of trying to save a extremely ill animal, not to mention the heartbreak when all fails. 

Advantage for flea control     I caught ringworm once as a child from a sick stray cat..

Yeah, I have too, I used to pat every fluffy animal I saw when I was a kid but ringworm is tinea, a fungus. 

Once you get them healthy, if they don't go outside, parasites shouldn't be a problem. It's more likely for you to get parasites from dirt.

In tropical areas, people take antiparasitics regularly. We aren't used to it in the US but it's not at all unusual worldwide. You can buy pyrantel pamoate OTC (sold as pinworm medicine but works for roundworms too) if your doctor doesn't take you seriously.

moorspede said:

 
Yeah, I have too, but ringworm is tinea, a fungus. 

Click to expand...

  True    Clay (post above) gets rid of ringworm as well....