Tapeworm Infection – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Tapeworms are parasites that can live inside human intestines, causing an infection. These unwanted guests feed on nutrients from the food you eat.
When tapeworms are in their early stage, they form larval cysts. These cysts can survive in different parts of the body, creating what doctors call a larval cyst infection.
Most intestinal tapeworm infections cause mild problems. Some people might not notice any symptoms at all. Others may experience:
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Hunger
Larval cysts become dangerous when they form in vital organs like:
- Brain
- Liver
- Lungs
- Heart
- Eyes
Doctors treat tapeworm infections with special antiparasitic medications. For larval cyst infections, treatment might include both medicine and surgery to remove the cyst. Additional medications may help control symptoms during recovery.
Signs and Symptoms
Intestinal Tapeworm Infection
When tapeworms live in your intestines, you might not notice any symptoms at all. How bad your symptoms are often depends on how many tapeworms you have.
Different types of tapeworms can cause different symptoms. You might experience:
- Stomach upset or nausea
- Pain in your abdomen
- Loss of appetite
- Soft stools
- Diarrhea
- Dropping weight
- Excessive gas
- Feeling unusually hungry
- Wanting salty foods
Cyst Formation in Body Tissues
When tapeworm larvae form cysts in your body, symptoms vary based on where these cysts develop.
Brain or spine cysts may cause:
- Headaches
- Seizure activity
- Feeling dizzy or unsteady
- Pain along nerves in your spine or limbs
- Weakness in muscles
- Poor balance or coordination
- Changes in thinking or behavior
Cysts in other organs:
These can affect how well your organs work. For example, cysts in your liver, lungs, or heart can cause serious health problems. Symptoms differ widely depending on the location. You might feel a lump, pain, or swelling where the cyst formed.
When to Get Medical Help
Seek medical attention if you notice any signs of a tapeworm infection or cyst formation. Early treatment can prevent more serious complications. Don’t try to treat these infections on your own—proper medical care is important.
How Tapeworms Spread
Tapeworms require two hosts to complete their life cycle. The intermediate host is where eggs grow into larvae; the definitive host is where larvae mature into adults.
For example, cattle serve as intermediate hosts for beef tapeworms, and humans are the definitive hosts.
Tapeworm eggs can survive in the environment for long periods. When a cow eats grass contaminated with these eggs, they hatch in its intestines. The young larvae enter the bloodstream and travel to muscles, where they form protective cysts.
When people eat undercooked meat containing these cysts, the larvae develop into adult tapeworms. These attach to the intestinal wall and produce eggs that pass through human stool.
Infection from Food
Humans become definitive hosts for several tapeworm species after eating:
- Undercooked beef
- Raw or undercooked pork
- Improperly prepared fish
These foods may contain larval cysts that develop into adult tapeworms once inside the human digestive system.
Cyst Formation in Humans
Humans can also be intermediate hosts for certain tapeworms. This happens when people:
- Drinking water containing tapeworm eggs
- Eat food contaminated with eggs
- Contact with dog feces containing tapeworm eggs
When this occurs, eggs hatch in the intestines, and larvae travel through the bloodstream. They form cysts in various body tissues and organs.
Some contain a single larva, while others hold multiple larvae or produce more over time. If a cyst ruptures, new cysts may form elsewhere in the body.
Symptoms typically appear years after initial infection. They occur when:
- The immune system responds to cyst debris
- Cysts break down or harden
- Cysts interfere with normal organ function
Unusual Patterns
Two tapeworm species follow different life cycles:
Pork Tapeworm
Humans can serve as both definitive and intermediate hosts. A person may develop adult tapeworms after eating undercooked pork.
The eggs pass in the stool, and poor hygiene may lead to self-infection or infecting others. If eggs are ingested, they can cause larval cyst infections.
Dwarf Tapeworm
This parasite enters humans as eggs from contaminated food or water. Inadequate handwashing significantly contributes to the spread of infections. The eggs hatch in the intestines, and larvae burrow into intestinal walls to form cysts.
These develop into adult dwarf tapeworms. Some eggs are excreted in stool, while others hatch in the intestine, causing a continuous infection cycle without needing a new host.
Dangers to Consider
Several things can raise your chance of getting a tapeworm or larval cyst infection:
Food Choices
- Eating raw or undercooked meat and fish
- Consuming dried or smoked fish that hasn’t been properly prepared
Cleanliness Issues
- Poor handwashing habits
- Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
Environmental Factors
- Inadequate toilet facilities and sewage treatment
- Limited access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing
- Living in or visiting areas where these infections are common
When livestock consume food or water contaminated with human waste containing tapeworm eggs, they can become infected. This creates a cycle where humans may then eat meat from these infected animals, continuing the spread of infection.
Possible Health Issues
Problems from Adult Worm Infections
Adult tapeworm infections generally cause few problems, but some complications may occur:
Blood Cell Shortage: Long-term fish tapeworm infections can lead to low red blood cell counts (anemia). This happens because the worm absorbs vitamin B-12 that your body needs.
Pathway Obstructions: Sometimes tapeworm segments can block important ducts that connect your intestines to other organs.
Mental Stress: Seeing tapeworm segments in stool or passing long worms can cause significant worry and anxiety for many people.
Allergic Responses: When tapeworm cysts break down, they release substances that may trigger severe allergic reactions. Signs include breathing problems, fainting, fever, and sudden drops in blood pressure.
Problems from Immature Worm Cysts
Larval cyst infections can cause different problems depending on where they develop:
Brain and nervous system cysts:
- Swelling in the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord
- Excess fluid buildup in the brain
- Pressure that damages the spinal cord
- Harm to important nerves, blood vessels, or brain structures
Cysts in other body parts:
- Damage to organ tissues as cysts grow larger
- Bacterial infections within the cysts
- Infections from blockages caused by the cysts
Prevention
Protecting yourself from tapeworms requires several key steps. Good hygiene is essential.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, before meals, and after handling food.
Wash all utensils, knives, and cutting boards thoroughly after using them with raw meat or unwashed produce to keep your kitchen clean.
Food safety practices:
- Rinse all fruits and vegetables under running water before eating or preparing them
- Ensure that the meat is cooked thoroughly to guarantee safety and enhance flavor. Whole meats should be cooked to 145°F/63°C with a 3-minute rest time.
- Cook ground meat to at least 160°F/71°C
- Use a food thermometer to confirm proper temperatures
- Freeze meat at -4°F/-20°C or colder for 7 days to kill potential parasites
Never eat raw or undercooked meat or fish, as these are common sources of tapeworm infection.
If you have pets, especially dogs, treat them quickly for tapeworms to prevent their spreading to humans.
