Facts on Human Tapeworms

Although tapeworm infections are common in some underdeveloped areas of the world, it is rare to hear of a tapeworm infection in the U.S. Proper hygiene and food preparation habits contribute greatly to preventing infections by tapeworms and other parasites. In the event of an infection, however, modern day medicine can quickly intervene to help rid the body of this intestinal parasite.

The Facts

• Tapeworms are the most common human parasite and are unable to live outside of a host's body. They feed by attaching themselves to the lining of the intestinal wall and absorbing foods the host has already digested. Tapeworms have no digestive system and thus are dependent on their hosts for nutrients. Some species of tapeworm can live 30 years or longer in a host's intestinal tract.

Types

• Tapeworms can be found in almost all commonly eaten meats such as beef, pork, chicken and fish. Even uncommon meats such as frog meat and snake meat contain tapeworms. The most common human tapeworm, however, is the flatworm or "beef tapeworm". These tapeworms can grow up to 20 feet in length within the human intestinal tract and live for years. It is roundworms, however, that generally hold the greatest threat for a human host. The larvae of roundworms, ingested via undercooked pork, can settle in the brain causing deterioration of the brain tissue and seizures.

Infection

• Tapeworms can enter the body when a person eats undercooked beef, pork or fish. It is also possible to become infected by drinking contaminated water or ingesting fecal material containing tapeworm larvae. It is vital that you cook all meat thoroughly before eating it and wash your hands after handling raw meat or using the bathroom. If you are a fan of sushi, make sure the fish used to prepare the dish has been previously frozen, as this will kill any tapeworm larvae.

Symptoms

• Flatworms are typically asymptomatic. This can prevent the tapeworm ever being detected until it eventually dies and is passed out of the body through the stool. Occasionally human hosts experience nausea or abdominal cramps when infected with flatworms. A roundworm infection can cause more serious symptoms such as headaches and severe pain, depending on the worm's location within the body. In severe cases, roundworms have been known to cause blindness or paralysis.

Misconceptions

• Perhaps the greatest misconception about tapeworms is that having a tapeworm contributes to weight loss. This is not the case. Although a tapeworm would consume a portion of your food intake, that portion would be minimal at best. In addition to this, your body's immune response to a foreign object in the intestinal tract is water retention. Rather than losing weight, a tapeworm carrier may appear to have gained it. Another misconception is that a tapeworm can be "lured" outside of the body in order to facilitate removal. Due to very primitive senses, tapeworms cannot be lured anywhere. If a tapeworm were to partially exit the body, attempting to remove it would only break it, not kill it.

Treatment

• People who are found to suffer from a tapeworm infection are treated with antiparasitic drugs such as praziquantel or albendazole. Natural home remedies abound, but if you happen to find yourself with a tapeworm infection, your first stop should be at the doctor's office, not the health food store. Occasionally tapeworms must be surgically removed. The best treatment for tapeworms is to prevent them altogether by following rigorous standards of cleanliness in your kitchen and testing your meat with a meat thermometer to ensure it is thoroughly cooked before eating it.