Symptoms of tapeworm infection in humans
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| Tapeworm in human intestine. Credit: Dr, Nawwaf (Facebook) |
People with tapeworm infection often have no symptoms. If you have symptoms, they will depend on the type of tapeworm and where it is in your body.
Intestinal tapeworm infection can cause: abdominal pain, nausea, weakness or tiredness, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and/or weight loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and pieces of worm in the faeces.
TAPEWORMS are a type of parasite that live in the intestines of animals. They have a head, neck, and many body segments called proglottids. They lay eggs, which then hatch into larvae, before maturing into an adult tapeworm.
Humans can become infected by eating or drinking tapeworm eggs or larvae in contaminated meat or water. Tapeworm infection in humans is usually easily treated, but sometimes it can cause serious problems.
Understanding Worm Infection.
Other types of worms may not cause any symptoms, for example pork and beef tapeworms or Strongyloides stercoralis. They only cause symptoms a long time after infection.
Symptoms may include diarrhoea, tiredness and weakness, abdominal pain and weight loss. Some worms may cause anaemia.
Causes of tapeworm infection
You can be infected with tapeworm larvae by eating raw or undercooked meat, such as beef, pork, or fish, or drinking contaminated water.
You may also come into contact with tapeworm eggs after handling food, water or objects that have been contaminated. Always wash your hands.
By Dr. Nawwaf Lamin Abass
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