Tapeworm eggs go inside the body-

If you drink food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of a person or animal with tapeworms, the microscopic tapeworms can enter your body. For example, if an animal suffers from a tapeworm infection, it may release tapeworm eggs in its feces which then goes into the soil. If this soil comes in contact with food or drinking water, it contaminates them. You become infected with tapeworms when you eat or drink this contaminated food or water. When the eggs inside your intestines develop into larvae, this stage is where the larvae begin to move. If they pass out of the intestines, they also start forming cysts in the tissues of body organs such as lungs, nervous system and liver.

Larvae's cysts enter the body by eating meat or muscle tissue-

If an animal has a tapeworm infection, the tapeworm makes an infection in its muscles. If you eat raw or undercooked meat taken from an infected animal, the larvae go inside your body. These larvae gradually grow into a large adult tapeworm in your intestines. An adult tapeworm can grow to be over 80 feet (25 m) long and live for more than 30 years. Some tapeworms attach themselves to the inner lining of the intestine, causing inflammation, redness, burning, and pain in the intestine. Tapeworms that do not stick to the lining of the intestines are often passed out of the body with feces.

Neglecting cleanliness-

If you do not bathe or wash your hands frequently, then any contaminants on your hands can enter your body and make you infected.

Eating raw or undercooked meat-

If the meat is not cooked properly, the larvae and eggs present in it remain alive.

Exposure to pet tapeworms-

This problem occurs especially in areas where human and animal feces are not properly disposed of.

Living in or visiting an infected area-

Tapeworm eggs are quite common in some areas of the world. For example, the risk of exposure to eggs from the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is higher in Latin America, China, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia because stray pigs are quite common here.

Prevention of Tapeworm Infection

The following methods can be adopted to prevent infection caused by tapeworm-

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, preparing, or touching food or after using the washroom.
• If you are traveling to an area where tapeworms are common, before eating or cooking any fruits or vegetables, wash them thoroughly in clean water.
• If you think that the water is not clean, then boil it for at least 1 minute and then use it after it cools down.
• Protect your animals from tapeworm infestation by properly disposing of animal and human excreta.
• Boil the meat at a temperature of at least 63 °C, which kills the tapeworms and their larvae.
• Place the meat in the freezer (minus 31°C) for seven to ten consecutive days and the fish for at least 24 hours to kill the tapeworm and its larvae.
• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat or fish.
• Tf your pet dog has a tapeworm infection, get him treated as soon as possible.

When to go to the doctor?

If you notice symptoms and signs associated with tapeworm, contact the doctor as soon as possible.