How to Tell if You Have a Tapeworm

Co-authored by Annabelle Reyes Medically reviewed by Jennifer Boidy, RN

Last Updated: June 12, 2024 Fact Checked

A tapeworm is a parasite that you can get from eating the undercooked meat of an infected animal. Tapeworms are often easy to treat, but they can cause some severe problems if left untreated. If you are concerned that you may have a tapeworm, then the best thing to do is to see a doctor as soon as possible.^{[1]
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Go to source} There are also some symptoms that you can watch for that may indicate that you have a tapeworm, but it is necessary to get a diagnosis to be sure.

Part 1

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Identifying Symptoms

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1
Check for common symptoms. A tapeworm can cause a variety of different symptoms that mimic other medical conditions, or it may cause no symptoms at all. Because of this, it can often be hard to tell if you have a tapeworm just by looking for symptoms. Nevertheless, being familiar with the most common symptoms may help you to determine if you need to see a doctor. Some of the common symptoms of tapeworm include:^{[2]
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- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Excessive appetite or loss of appetite
- Weakness^{[3]
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One way to tell if you have a tapeworm is to examine your stools for pieces of the worm. If you notice any particles that look like grains of white rice, then you may have a tapeworm infection. These small white segments contain eggs from the tapeworm.^{[4]
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It is common to lose your appetite when you have a tapeworm, but some people experience an increase in appetite. This is more common if you got a tapeworm by eating undercooked beef or pork. Watch for any unusual changes in your appetite.^{[5]
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4
Look for anemia symptoms. Tapeworm caused by eating undercooked fish may lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency because the tapeworm may be sucking up all of the vitamin in your body. This may cause you to become anemic because your body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells.^{[6]
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Go to source} Symptoms of anemia caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency include:
- A pins and needles sensation in your hands and feet
- Loss of sensation in your hands (no sense of touch)
- Wobbly walk and trouble walking
- Feeling clumsy and stiff
- Dementia^{[7]
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5
Watch for symptoms of a larvae infection. In some cases of tapeworm, the larvae may hatch and work their way through your intestinal wall and into other parts of your body. There are different symptoms associated with this type of tapeworm and they include:^{[8]
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- Frequent, painful coughing
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Fever
- Allergic reactions such as wheezing, sneezing, itching, a rash, and swelling^{[9]
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Part 2

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Getting a Diagnosis

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Although a tapeworm infection has some obvious symptoms, the only way to be sure that you have one (and not some other parasite or virus) is to see your doctor for a diagnosis. Your doctor will do a physical examination and order lab work to confirm whether or not you have a tapeworm.
One way that your doctor can determine whether or not you have a tapeworm is by ordering a lab analysis of your feces. Before your appointment, ask if you will need to collect a stool sample.^{[10]
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If a stool sample shows negative results and you have symptoms that indicate that you may have a tapeworm, then you may need to get a blood test. A lab analysis of your blood will show whether or not you have been infected with a parasite.^{[11]
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If you do have a tapeworm, your doctor may want you to have a CT (computed tomography), ultrasound, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to see if it has caused damage to other parts of your body.^{[12]
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Go to source} These tests are not painful, but they may be a little uncomfortable and time consuming.

Part 3

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Treating Tapeworm

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Take medication to help pass the tapeworm. Your doctor will prescribe a medication to help you pass the tapeworm. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions when you take your medication. The most common medications prescribed to treat a tapeworm infection include:^{[13]
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- Praziquantel (Biltricide). This medication works by killing certain worms. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, allergic to any ingredient in the medication, have a worm infection in your eye, or if you are on rifampin.^{[14]
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- Albendazole (Albenza). This medication prevents newly hatched worms from growing in your body. It treats specific types of tapeworm infections, including those you get from eating pork and from being around infected dogs.^{[15]
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- Nitazoxanide (Alinia). This medication is mainly used to treat parasites that you pick up from swimming in a lake or spending time in other moist places.^{[16]
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If you have to pass a large tapeworm, it is likely that you will have some pain and cramping.^{[17]
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Go to source} This is normal, but make sure that you call your doctor if the pain becomes severe.
To ensure that you are tapeworm free, your doctor will need to check your stools again one month following your treatment and then again three months after your treatment.^{[18]
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Go to source} Make sure that you keep this appointment even if you are feeling fine.

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Should a person seek emergency help for this at an emergency room, or call a doctor?

Jennifer Boidy, RN
Registered Nurse
Jennifer Boidy is a Registered Nurse based in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her nursing career, she also works as a Healthcare Content Strategist & Writer, helping businesses and non-profits market their products and services to healthcare provider organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other healthcare services vendors. Jennifer’s areas of expertise include pharmaceuticals & life sciences, health technology, medical devices & diagnostics, health insurance & managed care, and healthcare services & facilities. Her certification as a Registered Nurse was issued by the Maryland Board of Nursing. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Marketing and Finance. She received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Carroll Community College in 2012.

Jennifer Boidy, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

The symptoms of a tapeworm infection are generally mild and you may not even notice them. Left untreated, an infection can lead to serious medical conditions. Call your doctor as soon as you can if you suspect you’ve been been exposed so it can be treated early. If you develop fever, signs of bacterial infection, allergic reaction, or neurological symptoms, such as seizure, balance problems, or confusion, seek emergency medical attention.

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The main cause of tapeworm is eating undercooked meat, so you may want to make sure that any meat you eat is cooked well in order to decrease your risk of getting a tapeworm.^{[19]
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Warnings

Do not attempt to treat a tapeworm on your own. Tapeworm infections can be severe and they require proper medical attention.^{[20]
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