Is there really such a thing called a tapeworm, that really grows in your body?

Question

and if so what is the largest one ever?

Answer 1

Yes. the fish tapeworm is the largest.



A tapeworm (Taenia) is an infestation of the digestive tract with the tapeworm parasite

A tapeworm can come from a cow, pig, sheep, dog, cat and other animals

Tapeworm eggs are passed in the stools of a person who is infected and spread through water or surfaces contaminated with feces

People with tapeworms can reinfect themselves

Tapeworm eggs hatch in the intestine and develop in cysticerci (cysts) in the muscles, brain, other organs or eyes

What is it?

A tapeworm is a ribbon-shaped parasite that lives in human or animal intestines. They are uncommon in developed countries. There are a number of different types which all have slightly different life cycles.

Tapeworm infection can come from animals such as pigs, sheep, cattle, fish, dogs and cats. Eating undercooked food contaminated with tapeworm cysts and eggs causes the infection.

Tapeworm eggs are shed in stools and it is possible for infection to spread from person to person through the oral/anal route.

In the case of the pork tapeworm (t.solium), eggs hatch in the stomach and the larvae travel through the stomach lining to the bloodstream and can develop into cysts in other parts of the body (e.g. brain and under the skin). This causes a disease known as cysticercosis.

One species of tapeworm (e.granulosus) usually confines itself to dogs (gut) and sheep (where the cysts can cause hydatid disease). If the eggs of this worm are ingested by humans, they can lead to hydatid cysts around the body (usually in the liver).

Infection is more common in rural areas and developing countries with poor hygiene.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of tapeworm infection differ according to the location of cysts formed in the body. And symptoms may not occur for months, or even years after infection. In some cases, there are no symptoms.

A tapeworm in the intestine may cause mild stomach upset or diarrhoea. In some cases segments of the tapeworm can detach and appear in feces. Other possible symptoms include unexplained weight loss, anaemia, weakness, fatigue, and malnutrition.

Cysticerci in muscles may cause no symptoms but can form lumps under the skin.

Cysts in the eyes are rare, but they can float in the eye and cause blurred vision. In rare cases an eye infection can cause detachment of the retina.

Cysticerci in the brain or spinal cord (neurocysticercosis) can cause headaches and seizures. Other less common symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, and swelling of the brain. The disease can be fatal in some cases.

Diagnosis involves taking a patient history which includes information about travel movements and eating habits. Blood tests are used to help diagnose the infection and stool specimens collected over several days may also be necessary for laboratory diagnosis.

An MRI or CT brain scan is usually required for diagnosing neurocysticercosis.

What is the treatment?

In most cases the infection is treated with anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Surgery may be required for cysts in the eyes that are not cured with pharmaceutical treatment.

Some cases of tapeworm infection are not treated such as when the larvae is considered dead or when there is only one cyst.

How can they be prevented?

Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat

Be extra careful with handling and eating food in developing countries

Drink only bottled or boiled water in developing countries

Getting help

Seek advice from your doctor if you suspect you have come in contact with a tapeworm or are suffering from any symptoms.

The Fish Tapeworm Can Produce More Than 1,000,000 Eggs A Day In Humans! The fish tapeworm is the largest of the human tapeworms. A fully developed worm may reach the length of 33 feet or more. There can be 3,000 to 4,000 segments in one worm. The main body of the worm - the proglottids - are virtually filled with male and female reproductive organs. This worm produces an incredible number of eggs, often more than 1,000,000 a day! The adult fish tapeworm may live in man for 20 years or more. Humans acquire the fish tapeworm by eating raw or uncooked fish which contain the larva. This means sushi (raw fish) eaters: BEWARE! According to Dr. Brooks, the fish tapeworms usually produce no visible symptoms. But many times the worm will be so large, that it will cause a colon blockage. "Anemia is not uncommon, owing to interference with vitamin B-12."

Answer 2

Yes there is Comrade,
Mostly happens in Asian Country from a farm disease that infected to human.
I never see the reality but I ever studied biology. There's a case that a pig which got disease that infected through human. Usually the tape worm found in their tummy. Once they poop out, the pig's dirt is on the surface when the human step on it without any protection like shoe or anything that can cover the feet. Some of Asian farmers live in poor condition and poor in health and sanitation knowledge. The bad bactery will spread from the base of feet's palm (That's how I have been told by my lecture). Then it goes through the human's tummy.

When you said "largest" actually it's not large but it's very long.
And the position is spiralling around our tummy. You will not get sick but you will get thinner and skinnier and the tapeworm is a living parasite.
How to prevent it and get ride of the tape worm:
Traditionally in Asia, they told me:
1. the patient need to be in sleep position.
2. prepare a hot milk with a strong milk aroma.
3. make sure all the room's windows are closed and full of milk aroma.
4. keep the patient open his or her mouth, then the head of tapeworm crawling out.
5. the doctor will cut the head of the worm then leave the rest of the body inside the patient and soon it will die or vanish.
6. When the dead tape worm will be out, once the doctor give the supplement or medicine so the patient can go the toilet do cleaning his or her guts. Then the dead tapeworm will be out too.
7. they will do Endoscopy check for screening to ensure it's clean.
That's it, Comrade.

Answer 3

Yes. Part of it's cycle is parasitic in sheep, pigs, or other animals, including man. The eggs get deposited on grass with the turds, get eaten by animals and infest their gut. The egg grows into a worm that is flat and can grow very long, usually 5-6ft before the host becomes aware of it. It is most often found in pigs, hence the importance of cooking pork thoroughly. It is possible to contract a tape worm from undercooked infected meat. Not in the uk or eu as meat is always inspected. Medicines are available to flush the worm out. It attaches itself to the gut of the host with hooks and absorbs all the nutrients of the food ingested. Symptoms like big appetite and no weight gain, even weight loss, itchy bottom and eggs in faeces. It was possible to purchase tapeworms in the usa as a weight loss treatment some years ago (urgh!)! Don't know what the longest one was.....

Answer 4

Yes there is. My ex husband had one. He travelled to Sydney for work for a week and when he came back, after a month or so, he started feeling funny in the stomach. Didn't think much of it then finally when he was losing a hell of a lot of weight and (sorry to be so yukky) passing segments of white stuff, he went to the doctor for a check up. The white stuff was parts of the tape worm and the worm was taking all the nourishment from his body that was why he lost weight. A good dose of worm medicine from the doctor did the trick and he was back to normal in no time. Strange the things that can happen hey. Poppet

Answer 5

Yes, Spirometra is a species of human tapeworm. Interestingly, it actually secretes the human growth hormone, so this helps it to help the host (human) grow . . . However, tapeworms used to be a common diet "pill" for folks in the early 20th century. Largest one? They reproduce by shedding their end segments, so they don't necessarily get bigger as they grow older.

Answer 6

Tapeworms can make you lose weight as they absorb nutrients in the food you eat. Not sure I'd want one inside me though.

Answer 7

Yes tapeworm is NASTY!!! usually children get it and the only way to get rid of it is to kill inside you with medicines and excrete it out. My aunt had it when she was young, says it was the worst experience of her life.

Answer 8

Yes there is and the longest one i have researched on the net was like 32 feet long.

Answer 9

The longest one reported was 57 inches

Answer 10

Yes .My 10 years old sister had it .It was approximately 8 inch long.