Description

A tapeworm is a parasite that can live and feed in human intestines. This is called a tapeworm infection.

A young man and the inactive form of the tapeworm is called a larva of a cyst. You can keep up with life in other parts of the body. This is called a larval cyst of the infection.

A tapeworm in the intestine often causes mild symptoms. Moderate-to-severe symptoms may include stomach pain and diarrhea. The larvae from the cysts can cause illness if they are in a person's brain, the liver, the lungs, the heart or the eyes.

Tapeworm infections are treated with anti-parasitic drugs. Treatments for the larvae of cyst infections may include anti-parasitic drugs and surgery to remove the cyst. Other medications may be used to treat the symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms depend mostly on where the infection occurs in the body.

I had an infection in the intestines

A tapeworm in the intestine may not cause symptoms. The severity of symptoms depends in part on the number of tapeworms. The symptoms vary. And some of the symptoms are more frequent in some species of tapeworm. Symptoms may include:

  • Upset stomach, or feeling that you might vomit.
  • Stomach pain or stomach pain.
  • Not wanting to eat.
  • Loose stools.
  • The diarrhea.
  • The loss of weight.
  • Gas.
  • The hunger pains.
  • Cravings for salty foods.

The larval cyst of the infection

The symptoms of larval cyst of the infection depends on where you are cause of disease in the body.

  • The larvae from the cysts in the brain or spine. These can cause: Headache.Seizures.The dizziness.Nerve pain in the spine or extremities.The muscle weakness.Poor coordination.Changes in thinking or behavior.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Seizures.
  • The dizziness.
  • Nerve pain in the spine or extremities.
  • The muscle weakness.
  • Poor coordination.
  • Changes in thinking or behavior.
  • Larvae cysts in other organs. These may affect the efficacy of the works for the organ. For example, the larvae from the cysts can cause severe disease in the liver, the lungs or the heart. The symptoms vary widely. In some cases, a lump can be felt. There may also be pain and swelling at the site of the larval cyst of the infection.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Seizures.
  • The dizziness.
  • Nerve pain in the spine or extremities.
  • The muscle weakness.
  • Poor coordination.
  • Changes in thinking or behavior.

When to see a doctor

If you experience any of the symptoms of tapeworm or larvae of cyst infection, obtain medical attention.

Causes

The majority of tapeworms need two different machines to complete a life cycle. A host is the place where a parasite grows from egg to larva, called the intermediate host. The other host is where the larvae become adults, called the definitive host. For example, the beef tapeworm need of livestock and human beings to go through a complete life cycle.

The beef tapeworm eggs can survive in the environment for months or years. If a cow, the intermediate host, eats grass with these eggs, the eggs hatch in their intestines. The young parasite, called the larva passes into the bloodstream and moves to the muscles. It forms a protective layer, called a cyst.

When the people, the definitive host, eating raw meat of cow, you can develop a tapeworm infection. The larvae of the cyst develops into an adult tapeworm. The tapeworm attaches to the wall of the intestine where it feeds. Produces eggs that pass in the person of the stool.

In this case, the cow is called the intermediate host, and the person is the definitive host.

Tapeworm infections

Humans are the definitive hosts for some species of tapeworms. You can get a tapeworm infection after eating raw or undercooked:

  • The beef.
  • The meat of the pig.
  • Fish.

The larvae of cyst infections

Human beings can be intermediate hosts for other tapeworm species. This usually happens when you drink water or eat food with the eggs of the tapeworm. Humans can also be exposed to the eggs in the feces of dogs.

An output of the shell, in the person of the intestines. The larva travels through the bloodstream and form a cyst in any part of the body.

The larvae of the cyst matures. But that does not become a loner. The cysts vary according to the species. Some cysts have a single larva. Others have several larvae. Or you can do more. If the cyst bursts, it can lead to the formation of cysts that form in other parts of the body.

The symptoms usually appear years after the infection began. They occur when the immune system responds to a cyst shedding of debris, breaking down or hardening. The symptoms also appear when one or more cysts maintain a body to function properly.

Exceptions

There are two exceptions to the typical life cycle of tapeworms that can infect humans.

  • Pork tapeworms. Human beings can be a definitive host or an intermediate host for the pork tapeworms. For example, a person can have an adult pork tapeworm by eating undercooked pork. The eggs are passed in the stool. Poor handwashing can lead to the same person or to another person exposed to the eggs. If this happens, a person can get a larval cyst of the infection.
  • Dwarf tapeworm. The dwarf tapeworm enters the human beings as the eggs food or water. Exposure can also occur due to poor hand washing. The egg hatches in the intestines. The larva attaches to the wall of the intestines and form a larval cyst. This becomes an adult dwarf tapeworm. Some eggs of the tapeworm are passed in the feces. Other eggs hatch in the intestine to make a repeating cycle.

Risk factors

The factors that can put you at greater risk of tapeworm or larval cyst of the infection include:

  • Eating raw or undercooked meats. The main risk factor for tapeworm infection is eating raw or undercooked meat and fish. Dried and smoked fish can also have larvae cysts in them.
  • The lack of hygiene. Poor hand washing increases the risk of contagion and the spread of infections. Unwashed fruits and vegetables can also carry tapeworm eggs.
  • The lack of sanitation and drainage. The lack of sanitation, sewage and human waste increases the risk of cattle to get the eggs of the tapeworm of the people. This increases the risk that people who eat infected meat.
  • The lack of clean water. The lack of clean water for drinking, bathing and make food increases the risk of exposure to the eggs of the tapeworm.
  • High-risk regions. Live in or travel to regions with high rates of infection, is a risk factor.

Complications

Tapeworm infections

Tapeworm infections normally do not cause complications. Problems that may occur include:

  • Anemia. Long-term infection with the fish tapeworm can lead to the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells, also called anemia. This can happen because he had kept the body from getting enough vitamin B-12.
  • Locks. In some cases, a part of a loner can clog a tube that connects the other body to the intestines.
  • Anxiety. People can be anxious or stressed about having a tapeworm infection, seeing parts of the worms in the stool or passing long tapeworms.
  • Serious allergic reaction. The larvae from the cysts can throw debris or broken. When the immune system reacts, can cause symptoms of a severe allergy. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, fainting, fever, and decreased blood pressure.

From larvae of cyst infections

The complications of larvae from cysts vary in function of the affected organ. Serious complications include the following.

  • The larvae from the cysts in the brain or the central nervous system. These can cause: Inflammation or swelling of the fluid and the membranes that surround the brain and the vertebral column, also called meningitis.The accumulation of fluid in the brain, also called hydrocephalus.The pressure on the spinal cord.Damage to the nerves, blood vessels or the brain stem.
  • Inflammation or swelling of the fluid and the membranes that surround the brain and the vertebral column, also called meningitis.
  • The accumulation of fluid in the brain, also called hydrocephalus.
  • The pressure on the spinal cord.
  • Damage to the nerves, blood vessels or the brain stem.
  • Larvae cysts in other organs. These can lead to: a Cyst growth the damage to the organic tissue.Bacterial disease in the cysts.Bacterial disease associated with blockages caused by the cysts.
  • Cyst growth the damage to the organic tissue.
  • Bacterial disease in the cysts.
  • Bacterial disease associated with blockages caused by the cysts.
  • Inflammation or swelling of the fluid and the membranes that surround the brain and the vertebral column, also called meningitis.
  • The accumulation of fluid in the brain, also called hydrocephalus.
  • The pressure on the spinal cord.
  • Damage to the nerves, blood vessels or the brain stem.
  • Cyst growth the damage to the organic tissue.
  • Bacterial disease in the cysts.
  • Bacterial disease associated with blockages caused by the cysts.

Prevention

These steps can help prevent infections by tapeworms or tapeworm larvae from the cysts.

  • Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is very important after using the bathroom, before eating and before and after handling food.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, peeling, or preparation of the same.
  • Wash the kitchen utensils also. Wash cutting boards, knives and other utensils with soap and water after contact with raw meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
  • Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that meat is cooked enough to kill the larvae from the cysts. Cooking whole meats and fish, at least 145 degrees f (63 ° c) and leave to rest for at least three minutes. Cook ground beef to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).
  • Freeze the meat. The freezing of the meat and fish can kill the larvae from the cysts. Freeze at least 4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 20 degrees Celsius) or below for 7 days.
  • The treatment of infected dogs. The treatment of dogs with tapeworms immediately.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of tapeworm infection

A health care provider of testing for tapeworm infection in the gut by a test of a stool sample. A lab test can find pieces of tapeworms or eggs. You can give a sample of more than a day.

Diagnosis of the larvae of the infection of a cyst

  • Imaging exam. Providers use imaging tests to find larvae from the cysts. These may include ct scan, mri, or ultrasound. The larvae from the cysts are sometimes found during an imaging test for another disease before the cysts cause the disease.
  • Blood test. Providers may use a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. A laboratory test can be found antibodies of the immune system to the larvae from the cysts in a sample of blood.

Treatment

Treatment for tapeworm infection

Your health care provider is a tapeworm infection in the gut with anti-parasitic drugs. These include:

  • Praziquantel (Biltricide).
  • Albendazole.
  • Nitazoxanide (Alinia).

These medicines kill the tapeworm but not the eggs. You need to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet. This protects you and others from the spread of the eggs of the tapeworm.

Your health care provider will schedule follow-up appointments. We use tests of stool samples to see if the treatment has worked.

Treatments for larval cyst infection

The treatment of the larval cyst of the infection depends on the location or the effects of the infection. The treatments usually include:

  • Anti-parasitic drugs. Albendazole and praziquantel are used for the treatment of larvae from cysts in the brain or the central nervous system.
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and other activity of the immune system that can damage the organs, muscles, or other tissues.
  • Surgery. When possible, the surgeon removes a larval cyst.
  • The surgery alternative. At times, when surgery is not possible, other treatment may be used. A specialist uses a fine needle to remove some of the fluid from the cyst. It injects a treatment into the cyst to kill him. Then remove all the fluid from the cyst.

Other treatments to manage complications and symptoms may include:

  • Anti-epileptic medicine. These medicines help prevent or stop seizures caused by larval cysts in the brain.
  • Of the derivation. A tube, called a shunt, can be used to drain the excess fluid in the brain.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your health care provider first. You may be referred to a doctor who treats problems in the brain and the central nervous system, called a neurologist. Or you can see a doctor who treats problems in the digestive system, called a gastroenterologist.

To prepare for your appointment, write down the answers to the following questions.

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Is there something to improve their symptoms or worse?
  • Have you eaten any raw or undercooked meat or fish?
  • Have you traveled recently? Where?
  • Has been near someone with a tapeworm infection?
  • What drugs, herbal remedies or dietary supplements that you are taking?
Symptoms and treatment of Tapeworm infection