How To Prevent A Tapeworm Infection

Tapeworm infections can affect both animals and humans. Humans are infected by eating improperly cooked contaminated meat or by poor hygiene. A tapeworm is composed of three segments: the scolex, neck, and body of segments called proglottids. The scolex attaches to the intestines of its host, and the neck makes proglottids. The proglottids, containing both male and female reproductive organs, produce larvae, and these larvae eventually split off from the rest of the worm. They can leave the body through feces or migrate to other areas of the body like the muscles and organs. When they travel to other parts of the bodies, the larvae form a cyst. There are a few ways to prevent a tapeworm infection.

Washing Hands Thoroughly

Washing hands thoroughly before eating, after bowel movements, and after handling raw meat is essential. Often, intestinal infections show no symptoms and tapeworms shed their larvae (eggs) through the feces. Therefore, it is important to always wash hands after bowel movements or before eating. Small, unseen particles of feces left behind on the hands can easily be transported to the mouth during eating, snacking, or coughing. Since the tapeworm larvae also travel to other parts of the body, they can be found in the tissues of the meat humans eat. It is necessary to wash hands well after handling raw meat or fish in the event it is contaminated with tapeworm larvae.

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