Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest certain tapeworm eggs, they can migrate outside your intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues and organs (invasive infection). If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they develop into adult tapeworms in your intestines (intestinal infection).
An adult tapeworm consists of a head, neck and chain of segments called proglottids. When you have an intestinal tapeworm infection, the tapeworm head adheres to the intestinal wall, and the proglottids grow and produce eggs. Adult tapeworms can live for up to 30 years in a host. Intestinal tapeworm infections are usually mild, but invasive larval infections can cause serious complications.
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Many people with intestinal tapeworm infection have no symptoms. If you do feel the effects, your symptoms will depend on the type of tapeworm you have and its location. Invasive tapeworm infection symptoms vary depending on where the larvae have migrated.
Signs and symptoms of intestinal infection include:
If tapeworm larvae have migrated out of your intestines and formed cysts in other tissues, they can eventually cause organ and tissue damage, resulting in:
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of tapeworm infection, seek medical attention.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A tapeworm infection starts after ingestion of tapeworm eggs or larvae.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
To diagnose a tapeworm infection, your doctor may rely on one of the following:
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Intestinal tapeworm infections usually aren't complicated. The complications that do sometimes develop include:
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To prevent tapeworm infection:
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Factors that may put you at greater risk of tapeworm infection include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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