Are slugs dangerous if you suck them?

[SistersKeeper12]

Sorry to post here but need answers asap! Autistic 6 year old son loves slugs and snails, he has been playing in the garden and I just caught him licking/sucking/kissing one. I got it off him and after gagging and throwing up (Me not him!) am concerned that it could be dangerous, aren't they parasite carriers??
He keeps spitting as apparently feels like he has slime in his mouth 🤮 and he has done a mouth rince with mouthwash and water repeatedly.
So should I be worried about the effect on his health? Is it worth calling NHS direct over?

My friend’s son licked a slug as a baby/toddler and has terrible gastroenteritis.

It can make you pretty ill

OP, have you phoned? Is your son ok?

Ah, I see Mabel. Apologies, that really wasn't how I read it.

@SolitudeIsHighlyOverrated

@Singlenotsingle @ThumbWitchesAbroad

I assumed mabelsgarden was referring to the OP being a joke, not the case of the young man who died.

Yes I did mean I hope the OP's original post is a joke. I know the story about the lad eating the slug is not a joke.

If 2 people thought it, then I must not have worded my post very well. Sorry.

THAT'S OK @thumbwitchesabroad!

Prob my fault anyway!

Thanks again @solitude!

My ds ate a snail once he was about 7 years old also autistic. He was perfectly fine , I'm not sure how much of it he ate though.
Unless he appears unwell I'd not worry .

I'm going to sound like a dick here but historical stories of eating snails 10+ years ago in the UK and everything being fine aren't really relevant now. Rat lungworm disease wasn't really around in the UK then - it is on the rise everywhere and has appeared in the UK too, apparently.

Lungworm in dogs has spread rapidly through the UK - although this is different (different worm), it's an indication that these parasites are spreading and it's far better to be cautious and even over-cautious, than to take risks.

Also I get a bit aerated about this because I do live in Australia and it is a potential threat here, couldn't let my boys play with slugs and snails when they were little just in case they decided to try them!

Thanks for the replies.

Nhs just called me back, they said the chances of it causing damage are slim and not to panic but to watch out for headaches, lethargy, nausea and any breathing difficulties and to go to a&e if DS shows any signs of illness. She also said that I need to watch for these signs for the next 3 weeks. I have brushed his teeth and he has stopped spitting now.

Glad they've called you back, Sisterskeeper

I would get in touch with his GP. What if he has swallowed one already?

Meant to say to call someone urgently not GP.

news.sky.com/story/australian-man-sam-ballard-who-was-left-paralysed-after-eating-a-slug-dies-aged-28-11545373

SistersKeeper12, they have called you back which is great but I still would be worried very much.

I spoke to my HV when DS decided to do this 🙈 mortifying. I was stood right next to him as well but the slug blended in with the carpet and DS was going through his "put everything I see in my mouth" phase 🙄

The slug was intact and not ingested. I rinsed his mouth out thoroughly. Health visitor said he should be fine.

Those cases of lung worm in slugs are mainly in Australia. I couldn't find any research on UK slugs but it's better to be safe than sorry.

I'd say if its just been licked, just rinse his mouth out. If it's been ingested, definitely 111 or nearest Childrens department.

DS adopted a "pet slug" on holiday one year. He was carrying it around on a stick singing to it and occasionally kissing it.
It was called "Mr slimy foot" iirc.
DH made him release it back into the wild because of the selmonella risk.
He was fine though.