Pork and beef tapeworms are most commonly found in developing areas of the world such as Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, and especially where free-ranging pigs are common. [4] X Trustworthy Source World Health Organization Health information and news provided by the World Health Organization Go to source Beef tapeworms are also more common in areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, Eastern Africa, and Latin America where raw beef is sometimes consumed. [5] X Research source Fish tapeworms are more common in areas where people eat raw fish, including Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan. [6] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Dwarf tapeworms are transmitted between humans, especially among children, in regions where sanitation is poor, or where humans are living in dense conditions. [7] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Dog tapeworms occasionally find human hosts. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
Have you consumed any raw or undercooked meat? Have you been to an area where food is being prepared in unsanitary conditions?
Tapeworm segments will not begin to appear in the stool until two to three months after an adult tapeworm has established itself in your body. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Stool samples may have to be examined on more than one occasion to find tapeworm segments. [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
While uncommon, tapeworm infection can also cause the following serious symptoms: fever; cystic masses or lumps; allergic reactions to tapeworm larvae; bacterial infections; or neurological signs and symptoms, including seizures. These symptoms sometimes develop when infections are left untreated, so it’s important to seek treatment even for less serious symptoms.
In addition to determining if you have a tapeworm, stool analysis can identify a variety of digestive problems, including infection, nutritional deficiencies, and cancer. [16] X Research source A blood test may also be able to identify antibodies in the blood of a person who has been infected by a tapeworm. [17] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
If more serious infection such as cysticercosis is involved, your doctor may recommend a longer and more involved treatment regimen. Treatment may include prescription drugs, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epileptic therapy, or surgery. [20] X Research source
Prescription medication is 85 to 100 percent effective. Effectiveness depends on the type of tapeworm and the location of the infection. [21] X Research source
Note that poultry tapeworms do exist, but are not common in modern farming facilities because they require an intermediate insect host such as an earthworm or beetle.
Freezing meat and fish at a temperature below 14 °F ( -10 °C) for at least 48 hours will also kill tapeworm eggs and larvae. [24] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Try humming either the alphabet song or “Happy Birthday to You” twice to ensure you’re washing for an adequate length of time.
