Pork Tapeworm Treatment

Taenia solium is the tapeworm infection that is caused by eating pork contaminated with taenia solium. Taenia solium, or pork tapeworm, transmission can also occur when an infected individual fails to wash their hands after using the toilet (hand to mouth contamination). Pork tapeworm can be treated with prescription medication.

Symptoms

• Pork tapeworm is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). However, when symptoms do arise, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and loss of appetite my be present.

Treatment

• Treatment for taenia solium typically consist of a single dose of niclosamide. Albendasole and Praziquantel are also common medication used for treating pork tapeworm.

Eggs

• Prescription medication does not kill the taenia solium eggs. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands after a bowel movement in order to prevent recontamination.

Follow-up Care

• It is important to follow-up with your physician 24 to 48 hours after treatment in order to make sure the treatment used for taenia solium parasite was successful.

Prevention

• You may be able to prevent the pork tapeworm infection by simply washing your hands before meals.