If a tapeworm doesn't leave your body, your doctor will recommend a treatment based on the type of infection. For an intestinal infection, you'll need to take an oral medication to get rid of the tapeworm. Antiparasitic drugs used to treat intestinal infections may include: praziquantel (Biltricide)
What happens when a tapeworm stays inside the body for a long time?
A tapeworm that's in the intestines for a long time can get big and block the appendix or other organs, leading to appendicitis and other problems. There are different types of tapeworm. One (fish tapeworm) can cause anemia because it uses up the vitamin B12 that a person needs to make red blood cells.
How long can a tapeworm stay inside of you?
When you have an intestinal tapeworm infection, the tapeworm head adheres to the intestinal wall, and the proglottids grow and produce eggs. Adult tapeworms can live for up to 30 years in a host. Intestinal tapeworm infections are usually mild, with only one or two adult tapeworms.
What happens if you don't get a tapeworm removed?
In rare cases, tapeworms can lead to serious complications, including blocking the intestine, or smaller ducts in the intestine (like the bile duct or pancreatic duct). If pork tapeworm larvae move out of the intestine, they can migrate to other parts of the body and cause damage to the liver, eyes, heart, and brain.
Can your body kill tapeworms on its own?
Some people with tapeworm infections never need treatment, for the tapeworm exits the body on its own. Others don't realize they have it because they have no symptoms. However, if you're diagnosed with intestinal tapeworm infection, medication will likely be prescribed to get rid of it.
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