Parasite In Our Body - Tape-Worms!

Having a parasite in your stomach can be a scary thought, but you're not alone; parasites are far more common than you think. In fact, the majority of the patients I see in the clinic have a parasite. As you will see, parasites can causing a myriad of symptoms, only a few of which are actually digestive in nature. Today we going to see the most common intestinal parasites - Helminths.

Parasites in intestine

What is this?

Helminths are worms with many cells. Tapeworms, pin-worms, and roundworms are among the most common helminths you can found. In their adult form, helminths cannot multiply in the human body. They are usually transmitted when someone comes in contact with infected feces (for example, through contaminated soil, food, or water). 

Signs and Symptoms

Parasites can live within the intestines for years without causing any symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery (loose stools containing blood and mucus)
• Rash or itching around the rectum or vulva
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Feeling tired
• Weight loss
• Passing a worm in your stool

Tapeworm rash

Where did I get them?

These things raise your risk for getting intestinal parasites:

• Living in or visiting an area known to have parasites
• International travel
• Poor sanitation (for both food and water)
• Poor hygiene
• Age -- children and the elderly are more likely to get infected
• Exposure to child and institutional care centers
• Having a weakened immune system

Worms!

Most Common Parasites in Our Body - Tape-Worms!

Tapeworms are flat segmented worms that live in the intestines of some animals. Animals can become infected with these parasites when grazing in pastures or drinking contaminated water.

Eating under-cooked meat from infected animals is the main cause of tapeworm infection in people. Although tapeworms in humans usually cause few symptoms and are easily treated, they can sometimes cause serious, life-threatening problems. That's why it's important to recognize the symptoms and know how to protect yourself and your family.

Tapeworm Causes

Six types of tapeworms are known to infect people. They are usually identified by the animals they come from -- for example Taenia saginata from beef, Taenia solium from pork, and Diphyllobothrium latum from fish.

Life cycle of a tapeworm

Tapeworms have a three-stage life cycle: egg; an immature stage called a larva; and an adult stage at which the worm can produce more eggs. Because larvae can get into the muscles of their hosts, infection can occur when you eat raw or under-cooked meat from an infected animal. It is also possible to contract pork tapeworms from foods prepared by an infected person. Because tapeworm eggs are passed with bowel movements, a person who doesn't wash hands well after wiping and then prepares food can contaminate the food.

Tapeworms Symptoms

Sometimes tapeworms cause signs and symptoms such as: 

• Nausea
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Hunger or loss of appetite 
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies 

However, often having tapeworms does not cause symptoms. The only sign of tapeworm infection may be segments of the worms, possibly moving, in a bowel movement.

In rare cases, tapeworms can lead to serious complications, including blocking the intestine. If pork tapeworm eggs are accidentally swallowed, they can migrate to other parts of the body and cause damage to the liver, eyes, heart, and brain. These infections can be life-threatening.

A tapeworm infection

Treatment for Tapeworms

If you suspect you have tapeworms, you should see your doctor. Because there are different types of worms and tapeworms that can infect people, diagnosing a tapeworm infection may require a stool sample to identify the type of worm.

Tapeworm on stool

If worms are not detected in the stool, your doctor may order a blood test to check for antibodies produced to fight tapeworm infection. For serious cases, your doctor may use imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for damage outside the digestive tract.

Preventing Tapeworms in Humans

You can further reduce your risk of tapeworms by washing your hands before and after using the toilet and by following these food safety tips. 

• Avoid raw fish and meat. 
• Thoroughly cook meat to temperatures of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for whole cuts of meat and to at least 160 degrees F for ground meat. Then let it rest for at least 3 minutes before carving or eating. Safe temperatures for poultry are different. 
• Freeze meat to -4 degrees F for at least 24 hours to kill tapeworm eggs. 
• When traveling in undeveloped countries, cook fruits and vegetables with boiled or chemically-treated water before eating. 
• Wash hands with soap and hot water before preparing or eating foods.

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