How Tapeworms Can Be Harmful

Tapeworms are commonly found in the digestive tracts of dogs and cats; discarded segments appear as small grains of rice around the anus. Tapeworms may be contracted by contact with soil or water that is contaminated with feces. Animals or insects that have ingested it spread it. The most common carrier of the tapeworm is the flea. Humans can also contract this disease by eating produce from infected soil, raw or undercooked meat or fish, or failing to wash hands after coming into contact with a contaminated source. In most cases tapeworms cause mild symptoms such as infection, nervousness, fever, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and weight loss. If left untreated, infection can lead to such things as seizures, neurological damage and disease.

  1. Hydatid Disease

    • The tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, causes hydatid disease. It is commonly found in limited areas in the Midwest where there are large numbers of sheep. Humans are exposed by coming into contact with dogs or soil that is infected by sheep feces. This worm lives in the human body for years, affecting the liver and lungs and forming cysts. Symptoms vary depending on location of the cysts but may include abdominal pain, chest pain, cough and fever. This disease becomes fatal when a cyst ruptures. The recommended treatment for hydatid disease is surgery to remove cysts. An MRI or CT scan will detect this disease.

    Cysticercosis

    • Larval cysts of the pork tapeworm cause cysticercosis. Humans acquire the cysts by eating undercooked pork of infected pigs. The disease infects the brain, muscle and other tissues of the body, leading to seizures. This disease is found globally in areas with poor sanitation. Neurocysticerosis is a form of cysticerosis that infects the nervous system leading to neurological damage.

    Diphyllobothrium

    • Diphyllobothrium is the largest tapeworm that infects people. It can grow up to 30 feet long, causing intestinal obstruction, gallbladder disease and B12 deficiency. This infection is found all over the world and is caused by eating raw or undercooked fish. A stool sample test will diagnose this disease. Properly freezing or cooking fish will kill this parasite.

    Cestodiasis

    • The taeniasis infection causes cestodiasis. It infects humans who eat raw or undercooked beef and pork. It is found all over the world in areas of poor sanitation where animals are exposed to human feces. Cestodiasis infects the small intestine with mild symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight loss. In severe cases, this tapeworm can lodge in the appendix or in the bile or pancreatic ducts.

    Hymenolepias

    • There are two species of hymenolepias: dwarf and rat. This tapeworm lives in the intestines of rats and is found worldwide in warmer climates. It is rare in humans, but is most often seen in crowded environments such as institutions. Common symptoms include diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, itchy anus, poor appetite and weight loss. Complications are rare but include dehydration and abdominal discomfort.