What Kind of Organism Is a Tapeworm?

Tapeworms are small animals that affect mammals, most frequently human beings and dogs. Tapeworms, also known as cestodes, infect their hosts through ingestion of their eggs, typically in meat or feces. If a tapeworm leaves the digestive system, it can cause damage to major organs and tissue.

Tapeworms

• Tapeworms are parasites, meaning they must have a host to live in. After the host ingests the eggs or larvae, the tapeworm is able to grow into an adult inside the intestines of the mammal. Tapeworms are usually white in appearance and can grow up to 50 feet long. They have several sections, or segments, each of which can produce eggs. These parasitic animals can live for several years inside of a host, if it is able to keep feeding.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a tapeworm infection range from benign to serious. Many people do not know they are infected until their stool is tested, however other people and animals experience nausea, weight loss, pain in the abdomen and other symptoms associated with not being able to absorb food correctly. If the tapeworm migrates outside of the intestines, it can cause seizures, bacteria infections, organ damage, and masses or lumps.

Treatment

• Animals are treated for tapeworms with medication. People and animals are often given an antimicrobial that kills the tapeworm, such as Biltricide, Albenza or Alinia. If the tapeworm has left the digestive system, these treatments are also given, in addition to treating the symptoms. Masses and cysts might need to be removed surgically and anti-seizure medication might be given.

Passing Along Tapeworms

• Most people and animals become infected with tapeworms by eating them in undercooked or raw meat, such as pork, beef and fish. Some people can also become infected after handling the infected meat and then rubbing their hands on the anus or area around the anus without first washing their hands. Dogs and cats typically become infected from eating or sniffing other animals' feces.