Taeniasis (Tapeworm Infection)

Taeniasis is an intestinal infection with an adult tapeworm, acquired by eating undercooked pork or beef containing tapeworm larvae. Most infections cause mild or no symptoms, though the related condition cysticercosis, caused by tapeworm larvae migrating into tissues, can be more serious.

• Often no symptoms at all
• Mild abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Nausea or changes in appetite
• Passing segments of the tapeworm (small, flat, rice-grain-like pieces) in the stool, which is often how the infection is first noticed
• Unexplained weight loss in some cases

• Caused by eating undercooked pork or beef containing the larval (cyst) stage of the tapeworm, which then develops into an adult tapeworm in the human intestine.
• Risk is increased by consuming meat that has not been properly cooked or inspected, and by living in areas with free-ranging pigs and poor sanitation, which supports the parasite's life cycle.

• Diagnosed by finding tapeworm eggs or segments on stool microscopy.
• A history of passing tapeworm segments strongly supports the diagnosis.

Treated with a single dose of an antiparasitic medicine, such as praziquantel or niclosamide, which is highly effective at clearing the adult tapeworm.

Follow-up stool examination may be used to confirm the infection has cleared.

Anyone diagnosed with taeniasis, particularly from the pork tapeworm, should be counselled on the risk of cysticercosis (if tapeworm eggs are then accidentally ingested, including potentially by the same person through poor hand hygiene) and the importance of good hygiene to prevent this more serious complication.

• Cook pork and beef thoroughly to kill any larval cysts present in the meat.
• Support meat inspection practices where available.
• Practise good hand hygiene, particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
• Ensure proper sanitation and safe disposal of human waste to interrupt the parasite's life cycle.