Taeniasis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!
Taeniasis – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments
Taeniasis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, Taeniasis is an infection caused by the tapeworm, which is a type of parasite. Parasites are small organisms that join other living things to survive. The living things that the parasites attach to are called hosts.
Parasites can be found in contaminated food and water. If you consume contaminated food or drink, you can contract a parasite that can live and sometimes grow and reproduce inside your body.
Taeniasis is an intestinal infection caused by eating contaminated beef or pork. Taeniasis is also known by the following names:
- Taenia saginata
- Taenia solium
- Taeniasis
- pork tena
- beef tena
Symptoms of Taeniasis: Most people who have Taeniasis do not have any symptoms. If signs and symptoms are present, they may include:
- Ache
- unexplained weight loss
- bowel blockage
- digestive problems
Some people with Taeniasis may also experience irritation in the perianal area, which is the area around the anus. Segments of worms or eggs that are being expelled in the stool cause this irritation.
People often realize they have a tapeworm when they see segments of worms or eggs in their stool. Infections can take between eight and 14 weeks to develop.
Causes of Taeniasis: You can develop Taeniasis by eating raw or undercooked pork. Contaminated food may contain tapeworm eggs, or larvae, that grow in the intestines when consumed. Fully cooking beef or pork will destroy the larvae so they cannot live in your body.
The tapeworm can grow up to 12 feet in length. It can live in the intestines for years without being discovered. Poor hygiene can also cause the spread of Taeniasis . Once tapeworm larvae are in human feces, they can be spread through contact with feces. You must wash your hands properly to help prevent the spread of infection .
Taeniasis is more common in countries where sanitation and hand hygiene are generally of poor quality. Although the infection is not commonly found in the United States, people traveling to low- and middle-income countries are at risk of contracting the disease.
Taeniasis is more likely to develop in people who have weakened immune systems and are not able to fight off infections. Your immune system can weaken due to:
- HIV
- organ transplant
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy
Diagnoses of Taeniasis: See your doctor if you see segments of worms or eggs in your stool. Your doctor will ask about your health history and recent travel. Doctors can usually make a diagnosis of Taeniasis based on symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may order blood tests, including a complete blood count. They may also order a stool test to see if there are any eggs or segments of the bacteria that causes taeniasis.
Taeniasis Treatments: Taeniasis is usually treated with medications prescribed by your doctor. Medications for treating Taeniasis include praziquantel and albendazole.
Both drugs are anthelmintic, meaning they kill parasitic worms and their eggs. In most cases, these drugs are given in a single dose. But these medications can take a few weeks to completely clear an infection . The tapeworm will be excreted as waste. Common side effects associated with these medications include dizziness and stomach pain.
How to Prevent Taeniasis: The most effective way to prevent Taeniasis is to cook food thoroughly. This means cooking the meat at a temperature above 140°F for five minutes or more. Measure the temperature of the meat with a cooking thermometer. After cooking the meat, let it rest for three minutes before slicing it. This can help to destroy any parasites that may be in the meat.
Proper hand hygiene is also important to prevent the spread of this disease. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and teach your children to do the same. Drink bottled water if you live in or travel to an area where the water is untreated.