Tapeworm infections
People are often unaware they have a tapeworm infection. They may have no, or very few, non-specific, symptoms.
But there may be other symptoms if the type of tapeworm you're infected with produce larvae (newly hatched worms) which can leave the intestine and live in other parts of your body.
If you are infected with an adult tapeworm, you may see larvae or segments from the tapeworm in your stools (poo), which look like white grains of rice. The segments contain tapeworm eggs.
Depending on the type of tapeworm, other symptoms could include:
Infection with beef or pork tapeworms can cause an increase in appetite.
In rare cases, infection with the fish tapeworm can cause vitamin B12 deficiency , because the worm absorbs this vitamin. You need vitamin B12 to make red blood cells, so a deficiency can lead to anaemia (a reduced number of red blood cells).
Some types of tapeworm may not develop into the adult form in the intestine. Instead, their larvae (newly hatched worms) burrow through your intestine wall and enter your bloodstream. Then they can travel to, and settle in, other places around your body.
The symptoms of a tapeworm larvae infection vary, depending on the type of tapeworm, how severe the infection is and which part of the body is affected.
For example, the symptoms could include:
A tapeworm is a parasite that can live in a person's intestines (bowel). They are known medically as cestodes.
People are often unaware they have a tapeworm infection. They may have no symptoms or only very few symptoms, which are usually general.
In the UK, a tapeworm infection usually occurs when you eat raw contaminated pork, beef or freshwater fish. Not all tapeworms are acquired in the same way.
If you think you have a tapeworm infection, speak to your GP so they can give you a diagnosis.
Adult tapeworm infections are treated with medication. It is more complicated to treat infection with tapeworm larvae.
The beef tapeworm lives only in your intestine and infection with it is easily treated. Infection with other tapeworms or tapeworm larvae can lead to complications.
The best ways to prevent tapeworm infections are to prepare food properly and look after your personal hygiene, particularly around animals.