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A tapeworm is a parasite that attaches to the walls of the intestine after it enters a person's digestive tract. A person may become infected with tapeworms after eating raw or undercooked meat or fish that contains the worms.
A tapeworm infection may not cause any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may include diarrhea, pain in the upper abdomen, weight loss, or seizures.
Medicine is needed to get rid of a tapeworm infection. Infection can be prevented by thoroughly freezing or cooking meat and fish.
Current as of: October 31, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Anne C. Poinier MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & W. David Colby IV MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease & Leslie Tengelsen PhD, DVM - Zoonotic Disease
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