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All the Information on Tapeworm Treatment

Consumption of food or beverages containing tapeworm larvae or eggs causes tapeworm infections. Larvae usually grow in the intestines, while eggs can travel beyond the intestines and form cysts on tissue. Treatment depends on the type of tapeworm infection.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Intestinal infections are found by checking stool samples for tapeworm eggs or segments. Blood tests that identify antibodies triggered by cysts, as well as CT scans or MRIs, are used to diagnose tissue infections.

    Treatment for Intestinal Infection

    • Prescription drugs like praziquantel and albendazole are used to kill tapeworms in the intestines.

    Treatment for Cysts

    • Tissue cysts are treated with steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

    Treatment for Life-Threatening Cysts

    • Surgery is necessary to remove potentially fatal cysts on the liver, lungs or other organs. If surgery is not an option (patient's health, the damage is too extensive, etc.), an organ transplant may be needed.

    Treatment Success

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, tapeworm-infection treatment is successful over 95 percent of the time. Follow-up stool or blood tests are performed one-or-three months after treatment to make sure it was effective.

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