Parasites can live in the intestines for years without causing symptoms. When they do, symptoms include the following: Abdominal pain. Diarrhea.
How long can you have a parasite?
Symptoms generally last anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. In people with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to illness such as HIV), symptoms may last longer. Healthcare providers can prescribe the appropriate antiparasitic medications to help reduce the amount of time symptoms last.
What happens if you have parasites for a long time?
The symptoms may be mild and non-specific, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. Untreated tapeworms can live for years, and can lead to malnutrition. Long-term complications could include headaches, blindness, and seizures.
How long can parasites live in humans?
Transmitted through infected food, a tapeworm attaches itself to its victim's intestine with hooks on its "head", or scolex. They mature over three to four months, during which time the reproductive organs develop. Tapeworms can survive for up to 25 years in humans.
Do parasites stay in your body forever?
For most, it's a short stay, with the immune system evicting the worms in days or weeks and leaving no trace that the parasites were ever there. In a small percentage of people and other animals, though, the worms gain a permanent mouth-hold and can stick around the intestines for years.
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