What Are the Causes of Tapeworm?

Tapeworm disease in humans may be caused by one of several tapeworms that commonly inhabit cows, pigs, dogs, and freshwater fish. If you have intestinal tapeworms, you might not even know it unless you examine your stool closely for segments of the tapeworm. Most tapeworm infections can be treated quickly with prescription medications after they are diagnosed. However, the best way to avoid a tapeworm infection is to know what causes them and what you can do to protect yourself.

Where Do Tapeworms Live?

• The tapeworms that affect humans have an intermediate host. First, the host itself must become infected. For example, a pig ingests vegetation contaminated with Taenia solium, also known as the pork tapeworm; a cow becomes infected with Taenia saginata, a different type of tapeworm. However, the process by which tapeworms are eventually passed to humans by way of these animals is much the same. The eggs hatch inside the animal, penetrate the intestinal wall and make their way into the muscle, where they develop into cysticerci, or cysts. Cysts can survive in the muscles of an animal for several years. When the infected animals are sent to slaughter, this is when tapeworm infections become problematic for humans.

How Do Humans Get Tapeworms?

• Meat isn't necessarily the only culprit when it comes to tapeworms; you can get tapeworms by ingesting water or food contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae---in this case, it's come into contact with the feces of an infected animal, or sometimes a human. But tapeworms are most often unwittingly passed to humans when they eat the meat of an infected host. Once ingested, the eggs or larvae grow into adult tapeworms in your intestines. Certain types of tapeworms are less problematic than others, says the Mayo Clinic. The beef tapeworm generally live their lives in the intestines. Although rare, tapeworm infections transmitted by pigs, sheep and dogs can cause serious health complications. For example, the larvae of the pork tapeworm can attach themselves to various tissues and organs in your body, and can even affect your brain and central nervous system.

Are There Symptoms?

• Many people with intestinal tapeworms don't exhibit symptoms, although they may note segments of the tapeworm that pass in their stool or feel the worm pass out of their anus. When symptoms present, they may include stomach pain, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and weight loss. If a tapeworm infection has moved out of your intestinal tract, you may experience fever, bacterial infections, seizures, or notice cystic masses (lumps) on your body.

Treatment for Tapeworms

• Your doctor will take a stool sample to make an affirmative diagnosis before any type of treatment is rendered. He may prescribe oral medications such as praziquantel or albendazole. These medicines work by dissolving adult tapeworms, thereby interrupting the life cycle. However, during treatment it is possible to reinfect yourself if you don't exercise proper hygiene; washing your hands after you eat and use the bathroom is required. If cysts have developed outside of your intestines, you may require treatment with a steroid to reduce inflammation. More aggressive treatment may include surgery, if the cysts have spread to vital organs.

Preventing Tapeworms

• Avoid a tapeworm infection by exercising simple preventive measures as recommended by the Mayo Clinic. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after using the bathroom. Make sure that pork, beef and fish are not undercooked; fresh meat should be cooked at temperatures of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternately, meat can be frozen for at least 12 hours and fish for 24 to kill tapeworm eggs and their larvae. If the family dog has tapeworms, make sure your pet receives prompt treatment.