Eating undercooked pork or beef, or drinking contaminated water containing tapeworm larvae or eggs is how a tapeworm gets into a human host. The larvae grow into adult tapeworms and cause health issues for the infected individual. Some adult tapeworms in humans infect the intestines and cause no symptoms. Paying attention to subtle signs is important for early treatment. An untreated case of tapeworms may migrate to other parts of the body, causing serious damage.
No Symptoms
Knowledge of improper hygiene or ingestion of contaminated foods may help diagnose a case of tapeworms. Check the stool for signs of a tapeworm infection. Traveling to areas of the world with a higher prevalence of tapeworm infections, eating undercooked pork or beef, or not washing hands before eating can all contribute to a doctor's suspicion of an intestinal tapeworm infection, and the doctor will order further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Intestinal Infection Symptoms
Sometimes small segments of the tapeworm will be visible in the stool. The tapeworm loses end segments as it grows, and the pieces end up in stool. Additional symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and a decreased appetite. Extreme symptoms include weight loss and signs malnutrition. Itching and irritation of the anus may occur from the excreted segments. Tapeworms can live in the body for many years without detection or treatment.
Additional Symptoms
If the tapeworm migrates from the intestines to another location in the body, the symptoms will be different. Outside the intestine, the tapeworm forms a cyst. This cyst will cause damage to tissues and organs. Symptoms of a tapeworm cyst include bacterial infections, a fever and allergic reactions such as hives. If the larvae enter the brain, headaches, confusion, seizures and other neurological symptoms may occur. An MRI can detect the tapeworm cyst or eggs present in organs. Tapeworm infections in the body, outside the intestine, are much more serious and may result in death if the condition is not diagnosed and treated.
