Tapeworm

Tapeworm or cestodes infection is caused by consuming raw or undercooked meat or fish. They contain immature form of the tapeworm. Tapeworms or flatworms live in the digestive tract. This infection can affect both humans and animals.

Types of tapeworm:

The common tapeworms that infest humans are through pork, beef and fish. Tapeworms from beef and pork are called taeniasis.

How are tapeworms infested?

Tapeworm infestation is most common in areas which have unhealthy sanitary conditions. If livestock such as sheep, cattle and pigs are raised in unhygienic areas where they tend to consume indisposed human feces, they are very much prone to tapeworms. Also many times improperly treated human sewage is used as fertilizers. If livestock grazes on crops and plants that grow on such soil or drink water contaminated with tapeworm eggs, then they are likely to be infested with tapeworms.

This infestation is very common in those parts of the world where people often eat raw or undercooked meat and fish. It can affect people of all age groups and both the sexes. However, it is quite uncommon in children until there are old enough to consume meat and fish.

Symptoms:

Most people with tapeworm infection generally do not show any obvious symptoms. It may be possible that you may see segments of adult tapeworm in your stool. Some tapeworms can live in the human body for around 10 years if not diagnosed and treated on time.

Effects:

The Taenia tapeworms (tapeworms from pork and beef) attach themselves to the intestine. Apart from mild inflammation on the area where it is attached, there is no other effect. However mild symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain can occur in infected individuals

In rare cases when the eggs or larvae are ingested into the human body they migrate to the intestines and form cyst in other tissues which can result into organ and tissue damage. This condition is known as Cysticercosis. This is a serious human disease in which larvae grow outside the intestinal tract.

These eggs released by an adult tapeworm are initially found in the anal area. They are likely to contaminate fingers or other parts of the body. This disease can occur in the individual carrying the adult tapeworm or in the other person who is in close contact with the infected individual.

Hence, it is important to maintain good hygiene and also get yourself diagnosed if you see any symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, fever or abdominal pain. Timely treatment of tapeworm infection can evade the chances of serious diseases.