Tapeworms can live outside for months, waiting for a host to come along. You're most at risk if you work around livestock or travel to a country where hygiene is poor. You can also be infected if you eat or drink something that contains tapeworm eggs or larvae, like raw or undercooked beef or pork.
Can worms live outside the body?
Eggs can live for up to 2 weeks outside the body. There are things you can do to stop becoming infected again.
How long do worms last outside the body?
These can survive for up to 2 weeks outside the body on underwear, bedding etc. Good hygiene will clear any eggs from the body and the home, and prevent any eggs from being swallowed. This will then break the cycle of 're-infection'.
Can worms live on surfaces?
Pinworm eggs can cling to surfaces, including toys, faucets, bedding and toilet seats, for two weeks. So besides regular cleaning of surfaces, methods to help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs or to prevent reinfection include: Wash in the morning.
Can parasites survive outside the host?
Parasites that live outside the host are called ectoparasites (Figure 2A). For example, a flea is a parasite that lives on cats. In contrast, parasites that live inside their hosts are known as endoparasites (Figure 2B).
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