A tapeworm is a parasitic organism that infects humans after consuming undercooked meats that contain the eggs or larvae of the tapeworm. After ingesting the tapeworm eggs, they travel to the intestines and grow into adult tapeworms. Some individuals do not experience any symptoms associated with the condition, and the tapeworm infection goes unnoticed for many years. Without treatment, an adult tapeworm can live for 20 years inside a host, according to MayoClinic.com.
Segments in Stool
An adult tapeworm consists of a head, neck and many segments. The worm may grow more than 12 feet in length, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Each segment can contain eggs. The tapeworm sheds the segments to spread the eggs. The segments pass out of the body through stool. Some individuals may see the segments moving in the stool. A piece of the tapeworm may stick out of the anus.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Since the tapeworm usually stays in the gastrointestinal tract, individuals may experience distress in the stomach or the intestines. Stomach symptoms include nausea and a decreased appetite. Some individuals may also experience abdominal pain. The tapeworms can cause an inadequate amount of nutrient absorption from food as it passes through the intestines. Due to the decrease in nutrition, an individual with a tapeworm infection may have generalized weakness. The tapeworms may cause an intestinal obstruction, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Inspection Service. The intestinal obstruction can cause symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation.
Invasive Symptoms
Tapeworms may migrate from the intestines and move to other organs in the body, especially the brain. A tapeworm in the brain can form a cyst and cause symptoms such as a headache, confusion and seizures, according to the Merck Manuals. A tapeworm cyst may form in the eye and cause blindness. Cysts from the tapeworms can cause lumps under the skin as the larvae migrate. Bacterial infection and allergic reaction may occur from the tapeworm, causing symptoms such as a fever.
