San Francisco woman goes to ER for appearing pregnant. Then the doctor asks her if her dog licked her face: ‘Don’t let your dog kiss’

A San Francisco woman went to the emergency room for stomach pain and appears to be nine months pregnant. Tests revealed she wasn't pregnant. Instead, her dog was the cause of her condition.

The viral video with 1.2 million views was shared by Miranda Shea, who identified herself as a nurse. While filming in her car, Miranda relayed the medical mystery. 

According to her account, a woman arrived at the emergency room complaining of abdominal pain, bloating and discomfort. The woman's stomach was distended and she appeared to be around nine months pregnant.

When asked how far along she was, the woman responded, “I'm not pregnant.” 

The medical team was skeptical.

They performed routine tests that all came back normal. However, her pregnancy test was negative. A follow-up blood test confirmed the woman was indeed not pregnant.

But something must be causing her abdomen to be swollen.

The woman also claimed she was experiencing fullness after small meals, bloating, and pain in the upper right side of her stomach. These symptoms prompted the medical team to perform an ultrasound.

What did the ultrasound find?

There was no baby, but the results were disturbing.

Doctors discovered a large cyst in her liver. It became big enough to push against and displace surrounding organs. Findings also reported daughter cysts or smaller structures within the mass, helping explain why the woman's abdomen had become so distended. 

The woman was diagnosed with Cystic Echinococcus.

Cystic echinococcosis, also called hydatid disease, is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus, a tapeworm whose larval stage can form hydatid cysts in human organs. It can remain unnoticed for years before a cyst becomes large enough to cause abdominal pain or pressure symptoms. 

Why are the Echinococcus cysts so dangerous?

Removing the mass was not as simple as cutting it out.

Hydatid cysts can contain infectious parasitic material. Any accidental rupture can cause the contents to spill into the surrounding area. That can result in further infection, possibly to other parts of the body.

The cyst fluid can also trigger a potentially severe allergic reaction including anaphylaxis.

That made the procedure particularly delicate. 

Luckily, Miranda shared that the surgical team successfully removed the cystic masses. Then, the woman was placed on antiparasitic medication and scheduled for follow-ups to monitor that the infection was cleared.

So how did the woman get infected?

The question led the medical team to the woman's dog. 

Echinococcus can move from animals to humans. 

Dogs can carry adult Echinococcus tapeworms in their intestines and shed microscopic eggs in their feces. 

Humans become infected by accidentally swallowing those eggs, often through contaminated hands, food, water or soil. Infected dogs can also have contaminated fur. 

The nurse used the opportunity to urge pet owners to not let their pets lick their face or mouth. She also encouraged good hygiene after handling pets to avoid cross contamination.

A veterinarian informed that not all tapeworms are the same

In the comments, a veterinarian explained that Echinococcus is different from the common flea-associated tapeworm found in domestic pets.

Cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus is associated with dogs that become infected after eating infected livestock tissues. The CDC identifies dogs as the definitive host and notes that human infection occurs after accidental ingestion of the parasite's eggs.

The distinction matters because having a dog with an ordinary tapeworm does not mean the dog has Echinococcus. The condition described in this case is rare.

But, the route of transmission still makes responsible hygiene and pet handling important for all pet owners.

Miranda's message was clear: Unless, being “pregnant” with tapeworm larvae is on your 2026 bingo card, it is best to limit allowing pets to lick your face or mouth.

@nursemirandashea Don't let your dog kiss your mouth. 9 months pregnant patient… wasn't pregnant at all. #storytime #nursesoftiktok #medicalmystery #echinococcus #hydatidcyst ♬ Jazz Bossa Nova – TOKYO Lonesome Blue

Subplot News reached out to Miranda via email for comment.

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