Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsComplicationsWhen to Get TreatmentFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Tapeworm Infection GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Tapeworm Infections
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Complications
When to Get Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Tapeworm Infection Guide
Tapeworm symptoms in humans include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss. However, symptoms can vary based on the type oftapeworm, and they do not always cause symptoms.
The most obvious sign of a tapeworm is seeingproglottidsin your stool. Proglottids are egg-containing segments of tapeworms that break away from the head and neck of the parasite. They’re whiteish and look like little grains of white rice that may be moving.
Tapeworm infestations begin as an intestinal parasite. However, proglottids can break off, travel throughout the body, and infest other organs. When this happens, serious complications can occur.
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What Are the Symptoms of Tapeworms in Humans?
Tapeworms are a type of flatworm that lives in the digestive tract of people or animals. You may be infected with a tapeworm for months or even years before symptoms appear.
If you do have symptoms, the digestive system is often affected. Other symptoms may vary depending on the type of tapeworm.
Types of TapewormsSeveral types of tapeworms can infect humans, including:Asian tapeworm(Taenia asiatica)Beef tapeworm(Taenia saginata)Dwarf tapeworm(Hymenolepis nana)Fish tapeworm/broad tapeworm(Diphyllobothrium latum)Pork tapeworm(Taenia solium)
Types of Tapeworms
Several types of tapeworms can infect humans, including:Asian tapeworm(Taenia asiatica)Beef tapeworm(Taenia saginata)Dwarf tapeworm(Hymenolepis nana)Fish tapeworm/broad tapeworm(Diphyllobothrium latum)Pork tapeworm(Taenia solium)
Several types of tapeworms can infect humans, including:
Common Tapeworm Symptoms
While tapeworm symptoms depend on the type, they primarily affect your digestive system. Common tapeworm symptoms include:
Signs of tapeworms may also be visible in your stool. Egg-containing tapeworm segments, known as proglottids, break away from the main parasite and travel through thedigestive system.
When proglottids are passed in abowel movement, you may see them in the toilet. They are thin, whiteish tubes that look similar to rice and can be about a half-inch to an inch long.
Asian, Beef, and Pork Tapeworm Symptoms
Symptoms of Asian, beef, and pork tapeworms are generally the same. However, the beef tapeworm is the largest of these parasites. It can grow to over 30 feet long and may be more likely to cause noticeable symptoms.
Symptoms of these three types of tapeworm may include:
These tapeworms can get quite long and produce tens of thousands of eggs that develop into more tapeworms.
Dwarf Tapeworm Symptoms
Dwarf tapeworm symptoms are similar but may make you feel sicker than the Asian, beef, or pork worms. Symptoms may include:
In children, dwarf tapeworm symptoms may also include:
The dwarf tapeworm is named for its size—it’s usually only about two inches long.
Fish or Broad Tapeworm Symptoms
Fish tapeworm symptoms are usually mild. They can include:
The fish tapeworm can reach a length of 30 feet.
Complications of Tapeworm Infection
You can get complications from a tapeworm infection if tapeworm sections or eggs migrate away from the parasite inside or outside the digestive tract. Again, this depends on the type of tapeworm you have.
An adult tapeworm in the digestive tract produces segments, or proglottids, that contain both female and male reproductive parts.
Proglottids become pregnant with eggs and are released from the parent tapeworm. They can pass into other areas of the digestive system or out of the body in a bowel movement.
Asian, Beef, and Pork Tapeworm Complications
It’s rare, but when the proglottids from Asian, beef, and pork tapeworms migrate through your digestive tract and to other organs, they can blockbileducts or enter theappendix.
Symptoms of a blocked bile duct can include:
A proglottid in the appendix can causeappendicitis, a potentially life-threatening illness. Get emergency medical help if you have abdominal pain that:
Other appendicitis symptoms include:
Acute Appendicitis Symptoms and Causes
More Pork Tapeworm Complications
Eggs of the pork tapeworm can cause a serious complication calledcysticercosis.
Cysticercosis typically develops from eating food contaminated withT. soliumeggs. When the eggs are ingested, the oncospheres (eggs) hatch and penetrate the intestinal wall and proceed to causecystswhere ever they end up.
A cyst is a small sac or cavity that contains fluid. Cysts from tapeworm larvae can be in many different places, including:
When a cyst forms in the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) it causes a complication calledneurocysticercosis. The symptoms of this condition depend on the exact location of the cysts but can include:
While rare in the United States, neurocysticercosis is a major public health concern in developing nations where human tapeworm infections are more common.
Parasitic Infections of the Central Nervous System
Dwarf Tapeworm ComplicationsDwarf tapeworm infection isn’t linked to any known complications. However, a prolonged infection can lead to more severe symptoms.
Dwarf Tapeworm Complications
Dwarf tapeworm infection isn’t linked to any known complications. However, a prolonged infection can lead to more severe symptoms.
Fish or Broad Tapeworm Complications
The fish tapeworm siphonsvitamin B12out of your body, which can cause aB12 deficiency. Because B12 is necessary for you to create blood cells, the parasite can lead toanemia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can causeneuropathy(pain from damaged nerves), which can be life-threatening if untreated. Symptoms of fish tapeworm complications can include:
The fish tapeworm can lead tobowel obstructionsdue to its length and migrating proglottids. Proglottids can also causegallbladderproblems.
Gallbladder Pain and What to Do About It
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Tapeworm symptoms can often fly under the radar until more obvious or severe symptoms occur. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your healthcare provider:
Collect a Stool SampleIf you have visible tapeworm segments in your stool, collect the stool in a plastic container and take it to your healthcare provider or a lab as soon as possible. That can help youget a proper diagnosis.
Collect a Stool Sample
If you have visible tapeworm segments in your stool, collect the stool in a plastic container and take it to your healthcare provider or a lab as soon as possible. That can help youget a proper diagnosis.
When to Go to the ER
Tapeworms can cause serious complications, including intestinal blockage, appendicitis, or neurological symptoms requiring emergency medical care. Go to the emergency room if you experience the following:
Summary
Tapeworm symptoms can be mild or non-existent. When you do have symptoms, they’re usually digestive (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite).
Other symptoms and possible complications are different depending on what type of tapeworm you have. Complications can include anemia, vitamin D deficiency, and seizures.
You should see a healthcare provider for ongoing digestive symptoms, symptoms of intestinal blockage, or neurological problems such as seizures and numbness in your hands and feet.
Sometimes, tapeworm symptoms develop within a few months of theparasitetaking up residence in your intestine.More often, though, a tapeworm can be in the human body for years without causing symptoms. Some never cause symptoms at all.
Sometimes, tapeworm symptoms develop within a few months of theparasitetaking up residence in your intestine.
More often, though, a tapeworm can be in the human body for years without causing symptoms. Some never cause symptoms at all.
The consequences of not treating a tapeworm infection depends on the species in question. Some possible complications include:Blocked intestines or bile ductsAppendicitisAnemiaVitamin B12deficiencyNeurological cysts that can lead to seizuresYou may also develop severe digestive symptoms.
The consequences of not treating a tapeworm infection depends on the species in question. Some possible complications include:
You may also develop severe digestive symptoms.
Causes and Risk Factors of Tapeworm Infections
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours KidsHealth.Tapeworm.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm (taeniasis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hymenolepiasis (dwarf tapeworm).Merck Manual Professional Edition.Diphyllobothriasis (fish tapeworm infection).National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fish tapeworm infection.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) infection and cysticercosis.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cysticerosis.World Health Organization.Neurocysticercosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Food Safety and Inspection Service.Parasites and foodborne illness.Sepsis Alliance.Parasitic infections.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of taeniasis.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours KidsHealth.Tapeworm.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm (taeniasis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hymenolepiasis (dwarf tapeworm).Merck Manual Professional Edition.Diphyllobothriasis (fish tapeworm infection).National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fish tapeworm infection.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) infection and cysticercosis.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cysticerosis.World Health Organization.Neurocysticercosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Food Safety and Inspection Service.Parasites and foodborne illness.Sepsis Alliance.Parasitic infections.Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of taeniasis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nemours KidsHealth.Tapeworm.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm (taeniasis).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hymenolepiasis (dwarf tapeworm).Merck Manual Professional Edition.Diphyllobothriasis (fish tapeworm infection).National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fish tapeworm infection.Merck Manual Professional Edition.Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) infection and cysticercosis.National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cysticerosis.World Health Organization.Neurocysticercosis.U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Food Safety and Inspection Service.Parasites and foodborne illness.Sepsis Alliance.Parasitic infections.
Nemours KidsHealth.Tapeworm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human tapeworm (taeniasis).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hymenolepiasis (dwarf tapeworm).
Merck Manual Professional Edition.Diphyllobothriasis (fish tapeworm infection).
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Fish tapeworm infection.
Merck Manual Professional Edition.Taenia solium (pork tapeworm) infection and cysticercosis.
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of appendicitis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cysticerosis.
World Health Organization.Neurocysticercosis.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Food Safety and Inspection Service.Parasites and foodborne illness.
Sepsis Alliance.Parasitic infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical overview of taeniasis.
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What Is a Tapeworm and Can You See Tapeworm Eggs in Stool?Tapeworm Infection: Signs, Symptoms, and ComplicationsCauses and Risk Factors of TapewormsWhat Do Passed Tapeworm Segments Look Like?How Tapeworm Infection Is Treated
What Is a Tapeworm and Can You See Tapeworm Eggs in Stool?
Tapeworm Infection: Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Causes and Risk Factors of Tapeworms
What Do Passed Tapeworm Segments Look Like?
How Tapeworm Infection Is Treated
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