Tapeworm - symptoms, transmission and treatment of worm infections in humans
Tapeworms are parasitic intestinal worms that are transmitted to humans via raw meat. Find out more about symptoms, treatment and how you can protect yourself from infection.
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Tapeworms are parasitic intestinal worms that are transmitted to humans via raw meat.
Tapeworms (cestodes) are parasitic worms that infest the human intestine and can live there unnoticed for weeks to years. They belong to the plateworms and can grow several metres long - in some cases even up to 20 metres. Humans usually become infected by consuming raw or insufficiently heated meat (e.g. beef, pork, fish) that is infested with worm guts (larval forms). The adult worms live in the small intestine and feed on the host's nutrients via their surface.
After infection, tapeworm disease often remains asymptomatic or unnoticed for a long time. Some people only report nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms such as flatulence, slight abdominal pressure or stool irregularities. In severe cases, weight loss, increased appetite, nausea or tiredness may occur. Characteristic is the discharge of tapeworm members (proglottids) with the stool - usually the first indication of an infestation. Some tapeworm species, such as the porcine tapeworm (Taenia solium), can also form Finns in human tissue (cysticercosis) - a potentially serious complication.The diagnosis is usually made by a stool examination for worm eggs or proglottids. In rare cases, further imaging procedures (e.g. MRI, CT for cyst infestation) are required. Treatment is usually uncomplicated and is carried out with anthelmintic medication such as praziquantel or niclosamide, which kills the worm and enables it to be excreted completely. Hygiene prophylaxis and avoiding raw meat are the most important preventative measures.
Frequent types of tapeworm in humans:
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Cattle tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
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Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)
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Fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum)
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Dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus)
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Fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis)
Typical symptoms of tapeworm infestation:
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Mild to moderate abdominal pain
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Nausea, changes in appetite
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Bloating, diarrhoea or constipation
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Weight loss despite normal eating behaviour
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Fatigue, deficiency symptoms
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Visible tapeworm segments in the stool
Treatment and measures:
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Anthelmintics (e.g. praziquantel, niclosamide)
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Single or multi-day therapy
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Hygiene measures to prevent reinfection
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In case of cyst infestation: surgical removal or long-term therapy if necessary
Prevention:
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Do not eat raw or semi-raw meat (especially beef, pork, fish)
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Cook or freeze thoroughly (at least -20 °C for several days)
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Good kitchen hygiene and regular hand washing
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Control of pets (especially dogs and cats in risk areas)
Literature references:
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WHO (2020). "Taeniasis and Cysticercosis - Fact Sheet."
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Robert Koch Institute (2023). "Diseases caused by tapeworms in humans."
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Garcia, H. H. et al. (2014). "Clinical Practice: Taenia solium Cysticercosis and Neurocysticercosis." New England Journal of Medicine.
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