A tapeworm infection, also referred to as taeniasis, occurs from ingesting foods containing the cysts from a tapeworm. The tapeworm cysts can appear in beef, pork and fish. The cyst matures into an adult tapeworm and attaches itself to the lining in the intestines of the host animal or human. An adult tapeworm can live for up to 20 years and can grow to more than 50 feet in length, according to the Mayo Clinic. Many individuals experience no symptoms associated with the large intestinal parasite, while others have symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, pain and weight loss.
Food Contamination
The most common types of meats with tapeworm eggs imbedded in the muscle of the meat are pigs, cattle and freshwater fish. These eggs are microscopic in size. Eating undercooked or raw meats increases the likelihood of ingesting the tapeworm eggs, so cooking these meats at high enough temperatures to kill off the eggs and cysts is necessary to prevent the eggs from entering the body. After eating the eggs in the undercooked meat, they remain in the intestines of the host and grow into larvae. The larvae grow into adult tapeworms within six weeks, according to Medline Plus. The adult tapeworms have many segments, and each of the segments contain eggs. The tapeworm sheds the segments and the host naturally excretes the eggs and segments from the body during a bowel movement.
Poor Hygiene
Once an active tapeworm infection begins in an individual, the eggs shed by the adult tapeworm leave the body in stool. After having a bowel movement or scratching the anus, the eggs can transfer to the hands. Properly washing the hands will remove the eggs. Without proper hygiene, the eggs can transfer to food and drink. Eating or drinking the contaminated food causes the eggs to repeat the tapeworm cycle. The tapeworm can easily spread to other individuals with this mode of contamination. The eggs can remain on furniture or clothing and transfer to other people.
Migration of the Tapeworm
Many tapeworms remain in the intestines of the host. Others may leave the intestines and travel to other areas of the body, also referred to as an invasive infection. A common type of tapeworm to cause an invasive infection are pork tapeworms. The eggs of pork tapeworms develop into larvae, migrate out of the intestines and move into other locations in the body. The tapeworm larvae develop into cysts and cause inflammation in surrounding tissues and organs, such as muscles, under the skin and in the brain, according to the Merck Manual of Medical Information. An individual with a known tapeworm needs to recognize symptoms of an invasive infection so he can seek a medical evaluation and begin additional treatment to remedy the cysts. Symptoms associated with the invasive infection include pain in the area of the cyst location, fever and lumps under the skin or a palpable mass in the body. Tapeworm cysts in the brain may cause headaches or seizures.
