Tapeworms in Humans

Tapeworms in humans is an infection in which certain parasites, known as tapeworms, attack the digestive tract and generally remain confined to the intestines. The intestines act as a great host for tapeworms. As we all know, the intestine is the part of the body where digestion takes place. Thus tapeworms that stay in the intestine, absorb the nutrients from food which in turn promotes their growth. Tapeworms in intestines are rarely a cause of discomfort, however when these worms multiply and reach other body organs such as the lungs, then urgent medical treatment is a must.

Causes of Tapeworm Infection
Unsanitary conditions and inadequate hygiene is the main cause of tapeworms in humans. The worms enter the body when food contaminated with tapeworm eggs is eaten. Once inside the body, the eggs hatch and release larvae which usually live in the intestines. When tapeworms mature, they lay thousand of eggs, some of which pass into the feces, while others move to other body parts and spread the infection. In rare cases, tapeworms cause inflammation of the intestine.

Risk Factors of Tapeworm Infection
Drinking unclean water just once can also greatly increase the risk of getting tapeworm infection in humans. Although eating vegetables in raw form is good for health, the same thing cannot be said about meat. Tapeworm transmission is the likely outcome if meat is not cooked properly. Undercooked meat, be it chicken, pork or fish contain tapeworm cysts that eventually develop into an adult tapeworm.

Complications from Tapeworm Infection
On rare occasions, tapeworm infection may result in intestinal blockage. It is observed that on an average, the length of an adult tapeworm is about half an inch but it can be as long as 30 feet. For instance, an adult fish tapeworm can attain an height of 30 feet, whereas tapeworm coming from eating undercooked pork are generally 0.25 inches long. On the other hand, height of beef tapeworms varies from 10 to 20 feet. Considering the different sizes of these parasites, it is no surprise that intestinal obstruction may occur during a severe tapeworm infection. Vision problems and brain damage causing epileptic seizures and meningitis can occur if these parasites leave the intestine and settle somewhere else. To be precise, pork tapeworm invasion leading to cysticercosis is a rarity. In cysticercosis, painful lesions may develop in the brain, eyes or the heart. Thus, a person with cysticercosis may suffer from seizures, visibility issues or abnormal heart rhythms.

Symptoms of Tapeworm Infection
In most cases, these intestinal parasites in humans do not give rise to serious conditions. Also, many people infected with tapeworms acquire natural immunity. As a result, their body does not show any symptoms. In general, when tapeworms in humans are present in the intestine, the following symptoms are observed:

• Loss of Appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Malnutrition
• Muscle weakness
• Intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and constipation
• Difficulty Sleeping

In case, tapeworms have multiplied and spread in other body organs, then overall health may deteriorate rapidly. In case the infection has moved beyond the intestines, then the symptoms observed when the worms are present in sufficiently large numbers, are listed below:

• Neurological symptoms such as numbness or tingling of the face and double vision
• Seizures
• Allergic reactions
• Bacterial infections
• High fever

Diagnosis
Doctor often check the stool sample of patients to look for these parasites. Adult tapeworms are large enough to be visible to the naked eyes. However, if they cannot be seen that doesn't mean tapeworm infection is absent. The stool will be analyzed under a microscope to see if the fecal matter is contaminated with eggs. If microscopic examination reveals the presence of tapeworm eggs, it is indicating a parasitic infection. To get an idea about the amount of damage inflicted by the tapeworms, the patient may be advised to undergo an ultrasound or a MRI scan of the infected area.

How to get Rid of Tapeworm Infection
Oral medications are commonly prescribed for the treatment of intestinal parasites. The medicine that the doctor may advice is Niclosamide (Niclocide). This drug is extremely effective as it is capable of destroying tapeworms rapidly. Thus, people taking Niclocide tablets are likely to get rid of tapeworms within a short period of time. Most importantly, these tablets are safe to use for both adults and children. Side effects associated with Niclocide are mild and not a cause of concern. For optimum results, one has to first chew the tablet properly and then swallow it with water. Children are generally given these tablets in a powdered form. However, the recommended dosage for both adults and children varies significantly.

Another medication given to people infected with tapeworms is Praziquantel (Biltricide). This medicine, available in a pill and tablet form, is a boon for people diagnosed with parasitic infection. The tablets have a bitter taste, so chewing the tablets would not be a good option. However, these medicines can be a cure for tapeworms in humans when taken in the prescribed dosage. The dosage completely depends on how severe the infection is.

Albendazole is another medication used for treating human tapeworm infection. This medicine basically prevents these worms from absorbing nutrients in food. Eventually, these parasites die for want of food. Albendazole is an excellent remedy to eradicate tapeworms in humans.

Preventing Tapeworm Infections
You can keep tapeworm infection at bay by ensuring that the meat is cooked properly. A well cooked meat heated over 65 degree Celsius destroys the tapeworm cysts. Larval cysts also cannot survive in extremely cold environment, hence eating frozen meat is also not a cause for concern. However, freezing it for a day or two is not enough. You got to set the freezer at minus 20 degree Celsius and keep the meat in it for 4-6 days to kill the tapeworm cysts. On the whole, cooking meat thoroughly and drinking clean purified water is a must to prevent tapeworms from invading humans.

Tapeworms in humans can be effectively controlled by maintaining personal hygiene. Washing hands thoroughly before eating food, and especially after coming from the washroom is necessary, as unwashed hands are a potent source of parasitic infection.