You can get infected tapes and not know it. Tapeworm infections are more common in rural areas than in the United States, but they still occur. The most common type of tapeworm that infects people living in the United States is beef tapeworm, which cattle pick up from the soil.
People eat tape when they eat beef that is not cooked enough. Another type of tapeworm infects pigs and river fish, so these meats can also be infected with tapeworms. What are the signs and symptoms of tapeworm disease?
Signs and Symptoms of Tapeworm Disease
People infected with tapeworms are infected when they eat tapeworms. These antler fences are small fences that form around the tapes when it infects a cow, pig or fish. After the man contains the fleshy tapes of the anus, the anus breaks down the stomach and sticks to the walls. intestines where they produce eggs. Here, they can exist successfully for years.
No one can have signs and symptoms of tapeworm disease – and still be infected. When symptoms are present, they are usually mild and nonspecific, and include loose stools, excessive bloating, changes in appetite, abdominal discomfort, and weight loss In some cases, worms can be seen in bedclothes, or spotted in the feces, although this is not as common as most people think.
Rarely, worms can clump in the intestines and cause life-threatening intestinal obstruction. Cysts can also spread to other areas, such as the brain, where they can cause symptoms such as pain and seizures. People who eat tapeworms from infected fish can experience anemia because the tapeworms are rich in vitamin B12.
Signs and Symptoms of Tapeworm Disease: Making a Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, doctors look for tapeworm segments or eggs in the stool. It can be difficult to make a diagnosis since the eggs are not continuously being produced and excreted. It takes a bit of patience and several stool samples to finally identify the offending worms.
Fortunately, the infection is easily treated with several medications. Praziguantel is the most common. After the treatment, it is important to re-check the stool in four weeks to make sure that they do not show any more tapeworm eggs or segments.
How to Prevent Tapeworm Disease
To avoid signs and symptoms of tapeworm disease, all meat and fish should be cooked well, such as at least 135 degrees. Fahrenheit to kill tapeworms. It is also effective for long periods of time. Be careful about eating raw sushi because it contains live water. Fish tapeworms, as disgusting as they sound, can grow to a length of 25 feet in their intestines. The best way to avoid contact with slimy tapeworms is to avoid eating undercooked ones.
Notes:
Professional Guide to Diseases. Ninth Edition 2008. pages 1031-1033.
Merck Manual The eighth edition
