Human Tapeworm Removal

Several species of tapeworms can infect humans. Usually, a tapeworm infection comes from eating undercooked meat that contains larval cysts. Once inside the digestive tract, these cysts hatch into adult worms. The adult worms live within the intestines and grow up to 30 feet long .

If tapeworm eggs are ingested, the larvae that hatch can crawl out of the digestive tract and form cysts in various tissues of the body.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Intestinal tapeworm infections usually do not cause symptoms, according to Merck's Online Medical Library, but there are times when the host can experience abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, increased appetite, or diarrhea. Depending on where they are, the larval cysts can also cause headaches, seizures and confusion. Because these vague symptoms could be caused by many other more common issues, doctors generally won't attribute them to tapeworms. The worms are typically discovered when the infected person notices worm segments in the stool or undergarments.

  Tapeworm cysts formed in the brain can cause serious neurological problems. In some parts of the world, these cysts are a major cause of epilepsy. Cysts can also develop in the spinal cord, causing paralysis, or in the eyes, causing blindness.

  Doctors diagnose intestinal tapeworm infections by checking the stool for eggs and worms segments, and use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to search for cysts in the brain and other tissues. Blood tests can also be used to check for antibodies to certain tapeworms.

Treatment

• Treatment of an intestinal infection is fairly easy and effective. A single oral dose of a medication such as praziquantel, albendazole, or niclosamide will normally kill the worms. Once they are dead, the worms are passed out of the body in the stool.

  Some tapeworms absorb large amounts of vitamin B-12, which is necessary to produce red blood cells. People with this tapeworm can become anemic and may need to take B-12 supplements.

  Treatment of cysts, depending on where the cysts are located, may include drugs to kill the larvae, steroids to reduce inflammation, anti-epilepsy drugs, and sometimes surgery.

Prevention

• Proper cooking or freezing kills tapeworm cysts. Fish, beef, and pork can all contain larval cysts and should be either frozen or cooked to a temperature over 135 degrees Fahrenheit before eating.

  Tapeworm eggs are passed out of the host in the feces. Avoid ingesting the eggs by washing your hands regularly.

  Dogs and fleas can also carry tapeworms that infect humans, so be sure to treat your pets for flea and worm infestations.