Symptoms
of Human Tapeworms
Tape worms appear in humans after
a person has consumed food or water that contained tapeworm larvae
or eggs. Although it may sound uncomfortable, tape worms in humans
aren’t painful; in fact, most people who have tape worms are
unaware of the infection.
There are two ways tape worms can affect a human being. The first
is when the person has ingested the eggs; because once the larvae
have grown they can make their way to the intestines and form cysts
on the lungs and liver tissues. This type of infection is more serious
than when a person consumes the tape worm as larvae. When this occurs,
there are typically few symptoms.
If there are symptoms of human tapeworms, they usually include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Inability to properly absorb nutrients
- Nausea
Another sign of tape worms in humans is
exhibited in the stool. Sometimes segments of the adult tapeworm
can appear in your feces. It is important to consult your doctor
if you are feeling ill because once the tape worms have moved out
of your intestines and begun invading your tissues, your health
will plummet. The damage can lead to fevers, lumps on your tissues,
bacterial infections and possibly seizures.
In order to prevent tape worms in humans, it is essential that you
have good personal hygiene. Always wash your hands after using the
restroom, and before you eat. Also be sure to cook your meat at
150 F to kill any larvae or eggs.
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