How Do Humans Contract Tapeworms?
-
What are Tapeworms
-
Tapeworms are parasites that live in the intestines of a host. A host can either be an animal or human. People who have poor hygiene, are exposed to livestock, frequently travel to developing nations or eat raw or undercooked meat are likely to contract tapeworms. The common types of tapeworms found in the human intestinal system include pork tapeworm, beef tapeworm, dwarf tapeworm and fish tapeworm.
How Eggs are Ingested
-
One common way to become infected with tapeworms includes ingesting food, water or soil that has been contaminated with human or animal feces. This occurs when animals infected with tapeworms pass the eggs through their feces and contaminate the soil. Humans who eat foods grown in contaminated soil will likely become infected. Once the eggs are introduced into the body, they develop into larvae which will then travel from the intestines to other tissues, such as the liver or lungs, where they form cysts. The most common type of this infection occurs with the pork tapeworm, though dog and sheep tapeworms can also be ingested in this manner. Sometimes humans can ingest tapeworm larvae, usually by eating raw or undercooked meat from infected animals or fish. The cysts or tapeworms will attach themselves to muscle tissue, where the larvae will develop into adult tapeworms in the intestines.
-
Signs, Symptoms, and Illnesses
-
Most people who have tapeworms do not experience any symptoms, though stomach aches, diarrhea, loss of appetite, as well as headaches and seizures can be possible symptoms for some people, depending on where the cysts are deposited in the body and the type of tapeworm contracted. Fish tapeworms can cause anemia, while dog tapeworms have been known to cause illnesses when their eggs are attached in areas outside the intestines. Generally, tapeworms will be deposited through the stool.
Re-Infections
-
While many people who are infected by tapeworms deposit them through their stools, many can become re-infected by ingesting eggs that were jettisoned by adult worms. That is why it is important to always wash hands after using the bathroom.
-
