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Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic worm that can affect a domestic animal's heart mostly but can also invade humans. Heartwoms are rarely transmitted to humans, but are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. If you see symptoms in yourself or your pet you should seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms and signs in humans are abnormal cough, pain in your chest, chills, fever, and build up of fluid around the lungs. Luckily, heartworms do not last long in humans, but treatment of heartworm would be to address any granulomas that appear on a imaging test that may have resulted from dead heartworm tissue build up in your arteries. Prevention measures are to take basic safety precautions. For example wearing mosquito replant when in a area that is prone to have many mosquitoes around.