Taeniasis: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Taeniasis is an infection which is caused by a tapeworm (type of a parasite). Parasites are tiny organisms which attach themselves to their host in order to survive. These parasites are mainly found in contaminated water and food. If you accidently consume food and drinks which is contaminated, the parasite might go inside your body and start reproducing. Taeniasis is caused by a tapeworm which is usually found in contaminated pork or beef. Most people who have a tapeworm living inside their body don’t have any kind of symptoms, however some signs can occur when the tapeworm causes health problems. These signs include, pain, sudden weight loss, blockage of intestines and digestive problems. People who have Taeniasis can also experience irritation and pain around the perianal area (the area surrounding the anus). Eggs of the worms or worm segments expelled in the stool can cause irritation. Those who have tapeworms in their body usually self diagnose this problem after seeing worm segments or eggs in their stool. Infection caused due to Taeniasis usually takes 8 to 14 weeks to develop.

Eating undercooked or raw meat (pork and beef) is the main cause of Taeniasis. Contaminated food that contains larvae or tapeworm eggs can also cause the tapeworm to develop inside your intestines once ingested. Tapeworm can live inside your body for years without even being discovered! As a tapeworm starts to develop, the eggs pass out from your body into the stool. Poor hygiene is also the main cause of Taeniasis, so it is advisable to wash your hands with a disinfectant wash after passing stool. People who have a weakened immune system are more susceptible in developing Taeniasis. However, this condition can be treated easily with antihelmintics such as albendazole or praziquantel. This form of medication is proven to be very effective.

Eggs or worm segments are usually found in the stool after a few weeks if you are infected with Taeniasis. However, your doctor will ask about your medical history and health problems. He/she might also enquire about the places you have travelled recently. Taeniasis is usually diagnosed on the basis of its symptoms. Sometime, your perianal area can be subjected to a lot of itching and irritation, this is usually considered the most prominent symptom of Taeniasis. To confirm the diagnosis, your health physician will ask you to go through a blood test and a blood count test. Stool samples can also be taken to see if any worm or eggs are present in it.

Medicines which are known as antihelmics are prescribed to kill the eggs and the worms. This medicine is prescribed in single doses only. If your infection is severe, then the doctor might tell you to take a second dose. Since antihelmics are very effective and strong, most people just require a single dose to kill the tapeworm and their eggs. Once the tapeworm dies in your body, it is expelled through stool in a course of a week. It is important to eat healthy food in a good quantity to ensure the smooth passing of stool. These medications may take a few weeks to completely clear the infection. Sweets or candies should not be consumed as they can interfere with the medication and prevent killing the tapeworm. Most of the times, this infection goes away with treatment, however it is vital to treat this condition as soon as possible, or the tapeworm might grow and travel to the heart, eye or brain and cause seizures. It can also block your intestines and surgery may be required to extract it.

Those who have irritation and itching in their perianal area should go for this treatment immediately as this may indicate an early symptom of Taeniasis. Mild to severe forms of Taeniasis can be treated with antihelmics.

Sometimes, this condition can become worse and block the intestines, in such cases, antihelmics don’t provide any cure. Therefore, in such cases surgery is necessary to remove the parasite. Sometimes, the tapeworm can travel to the eye, heart or brain, this condition is known as cysticercosis. In this case, surgery or other forms of drugs are helpful in killing the tapeworm.

Antihelmics can have some side effects like temporary hair loss, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. If these effects get worse, it is important to see a doctor immediately. People who have vision changes, sore throat, kidney problems and stiff neck should stop taking this medication because they may be allergic to it. It is not recommended to use this medicine if you have trouble breathing or dizziness.

Antihelmics can be taken in tablet form 1 to 2 times a day preferably with meals. You can also crush the tablet and mix it with water while consuming it. The dosage is based on the severity of the infection, response to the treatment, existing medical conditions and weight. After getting cured from taeniasis, it is important to maintain hygiene and avoid consuming food from dirty areas. Sweets and candies should also be eaten in moderation. It is necessary to reduce or stop consumption of outside food or street food because most of the times, the oil or water used to prepare such foods is usually dirty and contaminated with parasites.

Recovery usually depends upon the severity of the condition. If the tapeworm infection is severe and you are experiencing uncontrollable itching around your perianal area and pain, then it may take a few weeks for this infection to heal. Consuming antihelmics will help you get rid of the tapeworm and its eggs through excretion.

The price of this treatment in India is approximately Rs.150 to Rs.2,000.

The effects of the treatment is permanent till the time you don’t get infected by another tapeworm due to consuming contaminated food and drinks.

Alternatives to antihelmics include, surgery to extract the tapeworm from your intestine, anti-seizure medicines if the tapeworm has travelled to your brain and corticosteroids to fight the infection. It is important to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating a grapefruit while you are consuming antihelmics.