Tapeworms in Humans?

 Tapeworms in Humans?
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Tapeworms enter the human body by consuming contaminated food or improper food handling.  The most common tapeworm type in beef (Taenia saginata) and pork (Taenia solium).  The medical term for tapeworm infection is Taeniasis.  Tapeworms enter the body as larvae and can grow into adult tapeworms as long as 12 feet.  Prognosis is generally good, with complications rare.  

Note:  Tapeworm infection is rare in the U.S. but more common in developing countries

Is This an Emergency?
If you are experiencing severe medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

• Symptoms - generally, there are no visible bodily symptoms of a tapeworm infestation.  The only sign of a tapeworm infestation is the visual sign of a tapeworm segment, often moving in a bowel movement.  However, some people may experience nausea, weakness, decreased appetite, or diarrhea.
  
  

Central Nervous System Disorders
Pork tapeworm larvae that move out of the intestines and into the brain may cause neurocysticercosis, where cysts form throughout the brain and spinal cord.  The cysts in the brain cause seizures or symptoms similar to brain tumors.  Spinal cysts result in general weakness and overall difficulty walking.  More severe complications, such as meningitis, hydrocephalus, or dementia, can occur.  In rare cases, death may result.

• Pork tapeworm larvae that move out of the intestines and into the brain may cause neurocysticercosis.
• The cysts in the brain cause seizures or symptoms similar to brain tumors.

 
Organ Function Complications
Invasive parasites moving out of the intestinal and abdominal area may affect specific organs in the body.  Worms in the heart can cause heart arrhythmias or heart failure.  Eye lesions result in vision loss or blindness.  Cysts can grow throughout the body, causing increased pressure on nearby blood vessels and blocking circulation.  The blood vessels may rupture.  Emergency surgery or organ transplant is necessary in the most severe cases.