How to Detect Tapeworms in Humans

Tapeworms are a type of parasitic flatworm that can infect a human being by entering through the pores of the skin, or the digestive tract by drinking contaminated water. Once inside your body, this parasite can lay eggs and infect any organ. Flatworms can grow more than 50 feet and fill up your entire digestive system. Fortunately, these parasites are easily detectable using medical diagnostic methods.

Instructions

1. Perform a complete blood count. The presence of tapeworm infection may show an increase in eosinophil cells and abnormally large red blood cells.

2. Perform an ultrasound, CT, MRI or X-ray of the part of the body suspected of being infected with tapeworm. The ultrasound monitor will reveal the structures of the tapeworm, assisting your health care provider to diagnose what type of tapeworm infection you may have.

3. Perform fecalysis (stool exam). Directly examine the stool for adult tapeworms and/or their segments; follow up by a microscopic examination of cysts (eggs). Finding tapeworm segments or eggs confirms a tapeworm infection.

4. Perform a scotch tape-swab method of the perianal area. This method is usually done in the morning when tapeworms lay their eggs in the anal area. Your health care provider will use transparent tape pressed against the anus in efforts to gather tapeworm eggs for examination and positive diagnosis.

References

• Merck Medical Library: Tapeworms
• Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment; Stephen J. McPhee, MD; 2006

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine: Tapeworms