A California nurse has shared the disturbing case of a 22-year-old woman whose abdomen became so severely distended that she appeared to be eight or nine months pregnant. Doctors initially found no pregnancy, but scans revealed a massive liver cyst caused by a parasitic infection. The case has since sparked a wave of disgust and disbelief online, particularly over the woman’s close contact with her dog.
The story was shared by TikTok creator and nurse Miranda Shea, who posts under the username @nursemirandashea. At the time of writing, the video had received nearly one million views, with viewers reacting strongly to the case and the warning about letting dogs lick people’s faces.
The video describes how the woman had experienced increasing abdominal swelling over about a year, along with nausea, bloating and feeling full after small meals. Pregnancy tests were negative. Imaging eventually found a roughly 25-centimeter lesion in the right lobe of her liver, with smaller structures inside it known as daughter cysts.
The findings led doctors to suspect cystic echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The California nurse said the woman had a dog that slept in her bed, licked her face and kissed her on the mouth.
According to the nurse’s explanation, the parasite can be carried by dogs, with eggs passed through feces. People can accidentally ingest the eggs, after which the larvae can travel to the liver and form hydatid cysts.
The cyst could not simply be drained because spilling its contents could spread the infection and potentially cause a severe allergic reaction. The woman underwent surgery and was treated with albendazole. The nurse said her abdomen eventually returned to normal.
California Nurse’s Story Leaves Viewers Horrified
Viewers were quick to react with disgust, particularly toward dogs licking people’s faces and mouths. One commenter wrote, “People let their dogs lick their baby’s face. So disgusting.”
Some viewers admitted the story had them seriously reconsidering their habits. Others were particularly disturbed by the thought of parasites developing inside the body for years, with one commenter joking that knowing about the parasites would be enough to send them spiraling.
The story also sparked debate over pet hygiene and responsible veterinary care. Some commenters argued that keeping dogs properly treated for worms and other parasites should be a basic part of ownership, while others said people simply may not realize these infections are possible.
For some pet owners, the video from California may have permanently ruined one particular kind of doggy kiss.
