Tapeworm infection: Difference between revisions

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Adult tapeworm infection is the infection of the digestive tract by parasitic flatworms called cestodes or tapeworms. Tapeworm larvae are sometimes ingested by consuming undercooked food. Once inside the digestive tract, the larva grows into an adult tapeworm, which can live for years and grow very large. Additionally, many tapeworm larvae cause symptoms in an intermediate host. For example, cysticercosis is a disease of humans involving larval tapeworms in the human body.

Common types of infection

Some of the most common tapeworms in humans are the pork tapeworm, the beef tapeworm, the fish tapeworm, and the dwarf tapeworm. Symptoms vary widely, as do treatment options, and these issues are discussed in detail in the individual articles on each worm. With a few notable exceptions like the fish tapeworm, most cestodes that infect humans and livestock are cyclophyllids, and can be identified as such by the presence of four suckers on their scolex or "head."

External Links

Tapeworm Infestation - by eMedicine
Tapeworm Infection - Health in Plain English (with pictures)

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+Adult '''tapeworm infection''' is the infection of the [[digestive tract]] by [[parasite|parasitic]] [[flatworm]]s called [[cestode]]s or tapeworms.  Tapeworm larvae are sometimes ingested by consuming undercooked food.  Once inside the digestive tract, the larva grows into an adult tapeworm, which can live for years and grow very large.  Additionally, many tapeworm larvae cause symptoms in an [[intermediate host]].  For example, [[cysticercosis]] is a disease of humans involving larval tapeworms in the human body.
-{{inuse}}
+===Common types of infection===
-'''Tapeworm infection''' is the infection of the [[digestive tract]] by parasitic flatworms or [[cestoda]].  Tapeworm larvae or cysts are ingested by consuming undercooked, raw or contaminated food and water.  Once inside the digestive tract, the larvae grows into an adult tapeworm, which can live for years and grow very large.
+Some of the most common tapeworms in humans are the [[pork tapeworm]], the [[beef tapeworm]], the [[fish tapeworm]], and the [[dwarf tapeworm]].  Symptoms vary widely, as do treatment options, and these issues are discussed in detail in the individual articles on each worm.  With a few notable exceptions like the fish tapeworm, most cestodes that infect humans and livestock are [[cyclophyllid]]s, and can be identified as such by the presence of four suckers on their [[scolex]] or "head."
-===Classifications===
-There are six types of tapeworms: pork, beef, fish, rodent, dog, and dwarf.
-Pork tapeworm is commonly found in Latin America, India, China, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.  It is not common in the United States.  Inside the intestine, this worm can grow up to 21 feet in length.
-Freshwater fish tapeworm is found in Europe, North and South America, Japan, and Southern parts of Africa.   Beef tapeworm is found anywhere there is cattle farming.  Both fish and beef tapeworms can grow up to 25 feet in length.
-Rodent and dog tapeworms infect humans through intermediate carriers such as insects, that introduce the cyst to human's food chain.  Dwarf tapeworms are native to human being, and is passed to another person through eating food contaminated with infected feces.  These tapeworms are relatively small, and can grow between 6 to 24 inches in length.
-===Symptoms===
-The symptoms of tapeworm infection include:
-* Diarrhea
-* Nausea
-* Abdominal discomfort
-* Hunger
-* [[Malnutrition]]
-* Fatigue
-===Diagnosis===
-Signs of tapeworm infection include:
-* Macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia or enlarged, pale red blood cell
-* Vitamin B12 deficiency
-* Presence of segments in feces
-===Treatment===
-Prescribed antihelminthic medications include niclosamide (for T. saginata tapeworm) and praziquantel (for Hymenolepsis species).  If vitamin B12 deficiency is diagnosed, then a vitamin B12 supplement is also prescribed.
-===Prognosis===
-The cure rate for tapeworm infection using antihelminthics is about 95%.
 ===External Links===