According to research, people may get tapeworms from eating contaminated meat and fish.If you ingest a tapeworm egg, it may enter your body.Experts say that symptoms are usually mild, so you might not even know you're sick.You can develop symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite, dizziness, salt cravings, weakness, and weight loss.If you think you might have tape worms, visit your doctor.
Step 1: Evaluate your surroundings and recent travel.
There are tapeworms worldwide, but the rate of infections varies widely between countries.More than 10 million people are affected by the disease each year, but less than 1000 cases occur annually in the United States.There are different species of tapeworms.In developing areas of the world such as Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, pork and beef tapeworms are common.In areas such as Eastern Europe, Russia, Eastern Africa, and Latin America, beef tapeworms are more common.In areas where people eat raw fish, fish tapeworms are more common.In regions where Sanitation is poor or where humans are living in dense conditions, dwarf tapeworms are transmitted between humans.Dog tapeworms can sometimes find humans.
Step 2: Take a moment to review your diet.
Infections can be caused by consumption of raw or undercooked meat.Meat that has been prepared by an individual can transmit tapeworms.Did you eat raw or undercooked meat?Have you seen food being prepared in unsanitary conditions?
Step 3: Take a look at your feces.
There are tapeworm segments that are excreted.Small grains of white rice are what these segments look like.You can see the sections in your underwear or toilet paper.After an adult tapeworm has established itself in your body, it will not appear in the stool until two to three months.It is possible to find tapeworm segments from more than one stool sample.
Step 4: Do you have more symptoms of tapeworm?
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea.Many other possible conditions can be indicated by these symptoms.It is possible that a tapeworm infection will not cause any symptoms.There are a number of serious symptoms that can be caused by tapeworm infections, including a high temperature, a cyst or lump, allergic reactions, and neurological signs and symptoms.It's important to seek treatment for less serious symptoms when infections are left unattended.
Step 5: You should visit your doctor.
A stool sample analysis is needed in order to properly diagnose a tapeworm.This will help to rule out or determine the type of tapeworm.In addition to determining if you have a tapeworm, stool analysis can identify a variety of other problems, including cancer.A blood test can be used to determine if a person has been bitten by a tapeworm.
Step 6: Receive a prescription from your doctor.
An oral medication will be prescribed by your doctor after he or she diagnoses you with a tapeworm.Praziquantel, albendazole, and nitazoxanide are some of the drugs used to treat tapeworms.Depending on the type of infections you have, your doctor will prescribe a variety.
Step 7: Follow the prescribed regimen.
It is important to take your medication and avoid reinfecting yourself.If you neglect good bathroom and kitchen hygiene, tapeworm medications will not affect the parasites' eggs.If cysticercosis is involved, your doctor may recommend a longer and more involved treatment regimen.Drug treatments may include prescription drugs, anti-epileptic therapy, or surgery.
Step 8: You should confirm that the infection is gone.
After you have been taking your medication for a while, your doctor will want to reexamine you.This can be anywhere from one to three months after you start treatment.The medication is effective.The location of the tapeworm and its type determine effectiveness.
Step 9: Don't eat raw meat.
Cattle, pigs, fish, sheep, goats, and rabbits are some of the species that carry tapeworms.If you want to avoid infections, you should eliminate raw or undercooked meat from your diet.Poultry tapeworms are not common in modern farming facilities because they require an intermediate insect host such as an earthworm or beetle.
Step 10: The meat should be cooked properly.
When cooking whole cuts of meat such as steaks or chops, make sure the internal temperature is at least 140 F.The internal temperature of ground meat should be 160 F.For at least 48 hours, freezing meat and fish will kill tapeworm eggs.
Step 11: Fruits and vegetables should be avoided in areas where tapeworms are more common.
Chemical solutions can be purchased to clean fruit and vegetables, or you can wash them with water.
Step 12: After handling raw meat or fish, you should wash your hands.
It's important to make sure that any eggs on your hands don't end up in your food.You will also avoid spreading diseases.It's a good idea to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.To make sure you're washing for an adequate length of time, try humming the alphabet song or "Happy Birthday to You" twice.