How do I know if I have tapeworm?
If you have tapeworms, you may not have any symptoms. You may also notice symptoms such as: nausea or diarrhea, abdominal pain, hunger or loss of appetite, fatigue and weakness, weight loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and tapeworm segments visible in your bowel movements.
What are the signs of tapeworms?
Tapeworm Symptoms
- Nausea.
- Weakness.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Hunger or loss of appetite.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
What are the symptoms of tapeworm infection in humans?
The symptoms of a tapeworm infection in humans can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue or weight loss. In some cases, tapeworm infection (medical name taeniasis) can cause other symptoms such as headaches and itchy red rash.
What happens if you get a pork tapeworm infection?
Called neurocysticercosis (noor-o-sis-tih-sur-KOE-sis), this especially dangerous complication of invasive pork tapeworm infection can result in headaches and visual impairment, as well as seizures, meningitis, hydrocephalus or dementia. Death can occur in severe cases of infection. Organ function disruption.
Where do tapeworms live in the human body?
Tapeworms are a type of flat worm stomach parasite that reside in the intestines of humans and animals they infect. There are several different types of tapeworms, but the one you’ll find most commonly in the United States is called pork tapeworm. (1)
Can a person get tapeworm from a bowel movement?
Because tapeworm eggs are passed with bowel movements, a person who doesn’t wash hands well after wiping and then prepares food can contaminate the food. Sometimes tapeworms cause symptoms such as: However, often tapeworms don’t cause symptoms. The only sign of tapeworm infection may be segments of the worms, possibly moving, in a bowel movement.
What are facts about tapeworms?
Fast facts on tapeworms Tapeworms are parasites that survive within another organism, known as the host. They grow after the host ingests the eggs of the tapeworm. Drinking contaminated water and eating contaminated food are the primary causes. Oral medication is a common treatment.
What does tapeworm do to the human body?
In rare cases, tapeworms can lead to serious complications, including blocking the intestine, or smaller ducts in the intestine (like the bile duct or pancreatic duct). If pork tapeworm larvae move out of the intestine, they can migrate to other parts of the body and cause damage to the liver, eyes, heart, and brain.
Is tapeworm a real worm?
Earthworms, Tapeworms and Roundworms are natural worms existing in different habitats and places. Accordingly, an earthworm is a round and cylindrical shaped worm, which survives under ground in the soil. Tapeworms and roundworms are parasitic worms, which are known to cause infections in animal bodies (including humans).
Are tapeworms and parasites the same thing?
Parasites come in all shapes and sizes. Tapeworms and Ascaris are some of the largest known human intestinal parasites and at the opposite end of the scale, are some of the smallest parasites of all called protozoa . Protozoa are in fact some of the smallest animals in the animal kingdom .
