Tapeworms, parasites that cause infection with taeniasis & bull; hello healthy

Definition of tapeworm infection

Tapeworm disease is a parasitic infection caused by various types of worms Taenia . In the medical world, this infection is called taeniasis and cysticercosis.

What distinguishes the two is the type of tapeworm that causes it. In taeniasis, the main cause is worms Taenia adults, while cysticercosis is caused by worm larvae Taenia , especially types Taenia solium .

One of the reasons a person is infected with tapeworms is eating undercooked beef or pork contaminated with these worms.

People are usually not aware that tapeworms are in their bodies because this disease rarely causes significant signs and symptoms.

However, if the larvae get out of the intestine and form cysts in other tissues, this infection can cause organ and tissue damage.

How common is this disease?

Tapeworm infection is a common disease in various parts of the world. However, this disease is most prevalent in countries with a habit of consuming undercooked beef, especially in Eastern Europe, Russia, East Africa and Latin America.

In addition, this infectious disease can also be found in places with poor sanitation systems, for example, settlements that are too close to cattle farms and are often exposed to cow dung.

According to the CDC, the highest cases of the disease are in countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, India and Asia. In Asia alone, this disease is found in Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand.

Although fairly common, this disease can cause serious complications if not treated properly. The reason is, the worm larvae can survive in the human body for up to 30 years.

Signs and symptoms of tapeworm infection

Most people who are infected with these worms do not experience any symptoms. However, people infected with tapeworms of a larger size (eg Taenia Saginata) are more likely to experience symptoms.

Some of the typical symptoms of this worm infection usually include:

• Frequent stomach aches
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss drastically for no reason
• Experiencing indigestion
• Looks weak, lethargic, and lackluster
• Difficulty sleeping, or even experiencing insomnia

Some people who are infected with this type of worm also experience irritation in the perianal area, which is the area around the anus. This irritation is caused by broken worms or eggs that are passed in the stool. Usually, people only realize that they have worms when they see shards of worms or eggs in their feces.

Meanwhile, the tapeworm type larvae T. solium The cause of cysticercosis can cause symptoms that are quite clear if it has infected organs such as muscles, eyes, and brain. The following are the symptoms that may appear:

• The presence of soft lumps under the skin
• Blurry or blurred vision
• Swelling of the retina of the eye
• Headache
• Seizures
• It's hard to focus
• The balance of the body is disturbed

If you experience the signs and symptoms mentioned above, do not delay the time to see a doctor before the infection gets worse.

Causes of tapeworm infection

There are 3 main types of parasites that cause tapeworm infection, namely:

• Taenia Saginata, which comes from beef
• Taenia solium, which comes from pork
• Taenia asiatica, comes from pork, but is only found in Asia

Taeniasis can be caused by these 3 types of worms. However, cysticercosis can only be caused by worm infestation T. solium .

The life cycles of the three types of worms are very similar. In general, here is an explanation of the tapeworm life cycle:

1. Worm eggs escape into the environment

Tapeworm or Taenia is a parasitic animal. Therefore, these animals need a host body in order to reproduce, and the human small intestine is the only host for worms. Taenia to survive.

Adult worms reproduce by laying eggs. The eggs of the mature worm develop into oncospheres larvae which still contain eggs, then detach from the body of the adult tapeworm and come out of the anus with human feces.

2. Farm animal infection

When tapeworm eggs leave the human body, there is a possibility that these worm eggs can move to another host. Pigs and cows are two types of animals that often host tapeworms. Cows and pigs are infected with these worms by eating livestock food contaminated with worm eggs.

In the intestines of animals, oncospheres larvae hatch into worm embryos, then attack the intestinal wall and enter the circulatory system of these animals. The larvae then spread to other parts of the animal's body, such as the tongue, heart, liver, lymphatic system and shoulder muscles. Tapeworm embryos can survive for several years in these animals.

3. Human infection

Humans can ingest tapeworm larvae hidden in raw or undercooked animal flesh. You can also ingest these worms from consuming food or drinks that are contaminated with human or animal feces that are infected by worms.

Once ingested, the scolex (head) of the worms will stick firmly to the wall of the small intestine and grow into adult worms that shed eggs in infected human feces. Adult worms can extend up to 15 meters and can survive up to 30 years in the human body.

After the new eggs migrate to the anus and enter the feces, then the worm's life cycle will repeat itself.

Tapeworm life cycle

Risk factors

Almost everyone can get tapeworm infection. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this disease. Some of them are as follows:

• Bathe and wash your hands rarely
• Are on a farm that is dirty or has a poor sanitation system
• Living in dense settlements with poor sanitation systems
• Eat raw or undercooked meat, especially beef and pork
• Live in an area with high cases of taeniasis or cysticercosis

Complications of tapeworm infection

Complications are very rare when a person has a tapeworm infection. However, if the treatment given is not optimal and the worms grow bigger, or the larvae of the worms reach other organs of the body, there is a high chance that complications can occur.

Here are some of the complications caused by this disease:

• Digestive system blockage
  If the tapeworm grows bigger, it can clog the intestine and risk causing appendicitis. Apart from that, your bile duct and pancreas can also be affected.

• Damage to the brain and central nervous system
  Worm infection Taenia which has damaged the brain and central nervous system is called neurocysticercosis. If this condition occurs, you are at risk of experiencing visual disturbances, seizures, meningitis, hydrocephalus, dementia, and even ending in death.

• Other organ disorders
  When tapeworm larvae travel to the liver, lungs, or other organs, cysts form. Over time, these cysts get bigger and interfere with the function of the affected organs. A broken worm cyst can release more larvae, and spread the larvae to other organs of the body.

Diagnosis and treatment of tapeworm infections

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Before determining treatment, the doctor must first check whether you are infected with tapeworms or not. The examination is usually carried out in the following ways:

• Stool analysis test
  If the doctor suspects that there are worms in the intestines, the doctor will need a stool sample to be examined in the laboratory.

• Blood test
  Blood tests are also needed to check the formation of antibodies in the blood. Antibodies usually appear when the body is fighting an infection, including tapeworm infection.

• Image capture test
  The doctor will also perform a CT scan, MRI scan, or ultrasound to check for worm cysts in certain organs.

How to treat a tapeworm infection?

Tapeworm disease is usually treated with prescription worm medicine. Praziquantel and albendazole are drugs that doctors often prescribe.

Both of these drugs have anthelmintic properties, which are tasked to kill worms and their eggs. Usually these drugs are taken for several weeks so that your body is completely free from infection. Later, the tainea worms will be removed from the body along with feces.

While taking these drugs, you may experience some side effects such as dizziness and stomach upset.

Tapeworm infection prevention

In order to avoid this disease, you can take simple preventive steps. Here are some tips that you can follow:

1. Cook the meat until cooked

One way to prevent tapeworm infection is to cook the meat until it is cooked. If possible, a food thermometer should be used to measure the temperature in cooked meat. Also, don't taste the meat until it's cooked perfectly.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), or the Indonesian equivalent of the Ministry of Agriculture, recommends the following as a way to properly process meat:

• For whole cuts of meat (excluding poultry). Cook until the meat is at least 63 ° C as measured by a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat. Then let the meat sit briefly for three minutes before consuming it.
• For minced meat (excluding poultry). Cook until the meat is at least 71 ° C. Minced meat does not require a rest period before consumption.

2. Store the meat at the right temperature

Also make sure to pay attention to how to store the meat properly. Place beef in the refrigerator at 1 ° Celsius or in the freezer at -18 ° C immediately after buying it. This is done to keep the meat fresh, retain its nutrients, and extend the shelf life of the food.

If stored in the refrigerator, make sure cooked meats are kept separate from raw meats, raw foods, and generally frozen foods.

3. Maintain cleanliness

Another way is to always maintain personal hygiene, by always washing hands before and after eating and after and before processing meat. In addition, it is also important to always wash your hands after you urinate / defecate.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.