What is Tapeworm Infection?
Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that are similar in shape to a tape measure. Parasites are animals or plants that live inside other animals or plants.
A tapeworm cannot survive on its own. It lives within the gut of animals, including humans.
Tapeworm eggs are usually ingested when a person eats raw or undercooked meat from an animal.
People can become infected with zoonosis if they come into contact with animal feces or contaminated water. When this happens, it's called zoonosis.
If you have a tapeworm, you will need to receive treatment in order to get rid of it. Treatment is very effective and can be completed in a few days.
Most people who have a tapeworm don't experience any symptoms and don't know they have one.
If you have signs and symptoms, they usually include fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea.
Different types of tapeworms can produce different symptoms. Symptoms may include the following:
Eggs, larvae, or segments from tapeworms can be found in the stools of adults and children.
abdominal pain
vomiting
nausea
general weakness
inflammation of the intestine
diarrhea
weight loss
altered appetite
This could be a sign of sleep difficulties due to other symptoms.
dizziness
convulsions in severe cases.
malnutrition
There is a very rare risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in cases where the body does not produce enough of the vitamin.
Explanation of medical terms and concept Tapeworm Infection
Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with flatworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest bound tapeworm eggs, they will migrate outside your intestines and form larval cysts in body tissues and organs (invasive infection). If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they transform adult tapeworms in your intestines (intestinal infection).
an associate adult tapeworm consists of a head, neck and chain of segments known as proglottids. After you have an internal organ tapeworm infection, the tapeworm head adheres to the intestinal wall, and also the proglottids grow and manufacture eggs. Adult tapeworms can live for up to 30 years in an exceedingly host.
internal organ flatworm infections are typically mild, with only 1 or 2 adult tapeworms. However invasive larval infections will cause serious complications.
Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting the eggs of a tapeworm Once the egg is ingested it hatches in the intestines and begins to grow When full-grown this type of tapeworm can grow to a length of over nine feet and cause potentially fatal intestinal blockage The most common symptom of tapeworm infection is diarrhea or constipation; some people don't have any symptoms at all To prevent tapeworms from infecting your body avoid eating undercooked meat and raw fish which can contain live worm larvae If you think you may have an intestinal parasite like a tapeworm see your doctor for diagnosis.
Tapeworms are parasites that can infect your body by burrowing into and living inside you They live in the intestines of animals such as dogs and cats People get tapeworms from eating raw or undercooked meat including pork beef or fish that has not been completely cooked People can also get them from accidentally swallowing a flea or worm larvae found on pets.
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the human digestive system. They can be extremely harmful to your health, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. In extreme cases, intestinal worms can even lead to death.
Intestinal worms are a type of parasitic worm that can live in the intestines of both humans and animals. There are several different types of intestinal worms, each of which has its own unique set of symptoms. Some common symptoms of intestinal worm infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In severe cases, intestinal worms can cause death.
Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the intestines of both humans and animals. There are several different types of intestinal worms, some of which are more common than others. The most common type of intestinal worm is the roundworm, which is found in both developing and developed countries. Other common types of intestinal worms include the hookworm and the tapeworm.
Tapeworm Infection: intestinal worms in kids
Intestinal worms in kids are parasites that live in the intestines. They can cause serious health problems, including malnutrition, diarrhea, and stunted growth. The most common types of intestinal worms in kids are roundworm, whipworm, and hookworm. They can be treated with medication, but it’s important to get rid of them because they can make a child very sick.
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the digestive system of humans. They can be very harmful to kids, as they can cause malnutrition, weight loss, and even death. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people around the world are infected with intestinal worms. There are several different types of intestinal worms, but the most common ones are roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm. Roundworm is the most dangerous type of worm, as it can
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the intestines of humans and other animals. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In severe cases, they can lead to malnutrition and even death. Intestinal worms are most commonly found in developing countries, where poverty and poor sanitation make it easy for them to spread. However, they can also be found in developed countries, particularly among children who are not well-educated about hygiene.
Tapeworm Infection:intestinal worms in poop
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the human digestive system. They can be very harmful to your health, and can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Intestinal worms can be spread through contact with infected feces, so it is important to practice good hygiene habits to avoid getting them. If you think you may have intestinal worms, see a doctor for treatment.
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the intestines of humans and other animals. They can cause a variety of health problems, including malnutrition, diarrhea, and blindness. Intestinal worms are spread through contact with feces from an infected person or animal. They can also be spread through eating food or drinking water that is contaminated with worm eggs or larvae.
Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the human digestive system. They can be spread through contact with infected feces, and can cause a number of health problems, including diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia. Intestinal worms are often treatable with medication, but it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have been infected.
Tapeworm Infection:intestinal worms types
There are three main types of intestinal worms: nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes). Nematodes are the most common type of intestinal worm, and can be found in both humans and animals. Cestodes are the longest type of intestinal worm, and can grow up to 30 feet in length. Trematodes are the smallest type of intestinal worm, and can only be found in humans and other animals.
There are three main types of intestinal worms: tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms. Tapeworms are the longest type of worm, typically growing to be several feet long. Roundworms are the most common type of worm, and can grow up to several inches in length. Hookworms are the smallest type of worm, only growing to be a few millimeters long.
Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the intestines of humans and other animals. There are many different types of intestinal worms, and they can cause a variety of health problems. Some of the most common types of intestinal worms include roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms.
Symptoms Tapeworm Infection
Many people with viscus infection don't have symptoms. If you do have issues from the infection, your symptoms can depend upon the sort of cestode you have got and its location. Invasive tapeworm infection symptoms vary betting on wherever the larvae have migrated.
Symptoms of intestinal worms can include
In children Intestinal worms are a common problem in children, and can cause a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of intestinal worms in children include: - Diarrhea - Vomiting - Abdominal pain - Fever - Malnutrition
Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the human intestine. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including: -Diarrhea -Abdominal pain -Nausea and vomiting -Malnutrition -Lack of energy -Weight loss
Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the digestive system of both humans and animals. There are many different types of intestinal worms, some of which are more common than others. Some of the most common symptoms of intestinal worms include: diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, and anemia. If you think you may have intestinal worms, it is important to see a doctor right away.
Intestinal infection
Signs and symptoms of intestinal infection include:
Nausea
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Salt craving
Weight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food
Invasive infection
If flatworm larvae have migrated out of your intestines and fashioned cysts in different tissues, they will eventually cause organ and tissue damage, ensuing in:
Headaches
Cystic masses or lumps
Allergic reactions to the larvae
Neurological signs and symptoms, including seizures
When to see a doctor
Symptoms of intestinal worms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight, and general malaise. If you have any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see your doctor to get checked for intestinal worms.
Intestinal worms are a type of parasitic worm that can live in the intestines of both humans and animals. They are spread through contact with infected feces, and can cause a variety of health problems, including diarrhea, malnutrition, and even death. While there are several ways to test for intestinal worms, the most common is a stool test.
The most common symptom of intestinal worms is diarrhea, which can be accompanied by stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms include weight loss, poor appetite, and tiredness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible so that he or she can conduct a proper diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of tapeworm infection, seek medical attention.
Causes Tapeworm Infection
A tapeworm infection starts after ingestion of tapeworm eggs or larvae.
Once within your intestines, the eggs change into larvae. At this stage, the larvae become mobile. If they migrate out of your intestines, they type a cyst within the liver or alternative tissues.
- Ingestion of larvae cysts in meat or muscle tissue. When an animal encompasses a cestode infection, it's tapeworm larvae in its muscle tissue. If you eat raw or undercooked meat from an infected animal, you ingest the larvae, which then turn into adult tapeworms in your intestines.Adult tapeworms can live over eighty feet (25 meters) long and might survive as long as thirty years in an exceedingly host. Some tapeworms attach themselves to the walls of the intestines, wherever they cause irritation or delicate inflammation, whereas others may labor under to your stool and exit your body.
Ingestion of eggs
Eggs get into humans via:
food
water
contaminated soil
If a pig has a tapeworm, it may have segments of the worm or its eggs in its feces. These pieces of feces can fall onto the ground and spread worm eggs.
A human can become infected by:
drinking contaminated water
Working with the animals and being in contact with contaminated soil can cause sickness.
consuming contaminated food
Eggs turn into larvae and travel through the gut or out of the body. This type of infection is most common with tapeworms that come from an infected pig, but it is less common if the original host was cattle or fish.
Eating infected meat or fish
If the meat or fish contains larvae cysts and it is not cooked or processed properly, the cysts can mature into adult tapeworms.
An adult tapeworm can:
live as long as 20 years
be up to 50 feet long
Leaves will attach themselves to the walls of the intestine.
When someone passes stool, it goes through their digestive system and ends up in the toilet.
Fish tapeworm infection is more common in countries where people eat a lot of raw fish, such as Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Japan. Undercooked or raw freshwater fish are the most common sources.
Human-to-human transmission
The dwarf tapeworm can be transmitted from human to human. It is the only tapeworm that can complete its life cycle in one person. Dwarf tapeworm infection is the most common tapeworm infection in the world.
Insect-to-human transmission
Some kinds of insects, like fleas and beetles, can eat the droppings of infected rats or mice. This can lead to an infection in humans- known as an intermediate host infection. With dwarf tapeworms, this happens when the tapeworm transitions from an egg to a mature stage. Poor hygiene is more common in areas where it is difficult to maintain cleanliness.
Reinfecting yourself
If you are being treated for an infection, make sure to follow good hygiene practices. This means washing your hands after going to the toilet. There is also a risk of getting reinfected if you don't do this.
Avoiding tapeworm infection by following risk factors
Risk factors include: Tapeworm Infection
Working with or being around animals: This is especially the case in areas where waste is not properly handled.
If you don't wash your hands often, you're more likely to get sick.
Traveling to or living in certain parts of the world increases your risk of becoming infected with a tapeworm.
People who eat raw or undercooked meat and fish may get sick if they eat larvae or eggs. Experts say that sushi is safe if it has been frozen beforehand. The biggest risk of contamination from fish mostly lies with freshwater fish.
In humans, tapeworm infection most commonly occurs due to the following type of worm:
pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)
beef tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
dwarf tapeworm (Hymenolepis nana)
A fish tapeworm can be acquired by eating raw freshwater fish.
dog tapeworm, more common in rural areas
The type of tapeworm will influence the area of the body where it lives and how severe the symptoms are.
If you think you may have a tapeworm infection, see your doctor. Some people may be able to see the adult tapeworms in their stool. However, a doctor is still needed to check the stool for evidence of infection by sending samples to a lab. The doctor may also check the area around the patient's anus for signs of eggs or larvae.
Tapeworm larvae infections can be diagnosed with the following aids:
Blood tests:The doctor will look for antibodies that are caused by infection.
Imaging scans:This could include an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan of the chest.
Organ tests:The doctor may want to check the organs for functioning correctly.
It is easier to remove adult tapeworms from the body than to deal with a larvae infection.
Medicine that kills tapeworms is usually enough to ensure that the body will rid itself of the tapeworm in feces. Medicine has become more advanced, and surgery may not be necessary in many cases.
The drugs are very toxic, so if the tapeworm reaches the brain during surgery, it may be treated with medicine.
There are several ways to prevent tapeworm infection, including:
Good hygiene:After using the bathroom, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, before eating, make sure your hands are clean.
Food precautions:It is important to wash and cook all fruits and vegetables in clean water if you are in an area where tapeworms are common.
Livestock:Please properly dispose of animal and human waste. Avoid exposing your pets to tapeworm eggs.
Meat:Make sure the meat you are cooking is cooked to a temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius). This will kill any larvae or eggs.
Meat and fish:Freeze the fish and meat for at least 7 days. This will kill the tapeworm eggs and larvae.
Raw foods: Do not eat raw or undercooked pork, beef, and fish.
Dogs:If you have a dog, make sure they are treated for tapeworms. Take special care with personal hygiene. Make sure your dog only eats cooked meat and fish.
Kitchen hygiene: Make sure your work area is regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Don't let raw foods come into contact with each other. After touching raw meat or fish, wash your hands thoroughly. Experts say that smoking or drying meat or fish won't kill the larvae or eggs.
Risk factors Tapeworm Infection
Factors that may put you at greater risk of tapeworm infection include:
Poor hygiene. Infrequent laundry and bathing will increase the chance of accidental transfer of contaminated touch on your mouth.
Exposure to livestock. This is particularly problematic in areas wherever human and animal fecal matter aren't disposed of properly.
Traveling to developing countries. Infection occurs more frequently in areas with poor sanitation practices.
Eating raw or undercooked meats. Improper change of state might fail to kill flatworm eggs and larvae contained in contaminated pork or beef.
Living in endemic areas. In bound components of the world, exposure to flatworm eggs is very likely. For instance, your risk of coming back into contact with eggs of the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is larger in areas of Latin America, China, geographic area or Southeast Asia wherever unconfined pigs are also more common.
Complications
Intestinal flatworm infections sometimes don't cause complications. If complications do occur, they'll include:
Digestive blockage. If tapeworms grow massive enough, they'll block your appendix, resulting in infection (appendicitis); your digestive juice ducts, that carry bile from your liver and vesica to your intestine; or your exocrine gland duct, which carries organic process fluids from your duct gland to your intestine.
Brain and central nervous system impairment. Called neurocysticercosis (noor-o-sis-tih-sur-KOE-sis), this particularly dangerous complication of invasive pork infection may end up in headaches and visual impairment, furthermore as seizures, meningitis, abnormality or dementia. Death will occur in severe cases of infection.
- Organ function disruption. When larvae migrate to the liver, lungs or alternative organs, they become cysts. Over time, these cysts grow, typically massive enough to crowd the functioning elements of the organ or cut back its blood supply. cestode cysts sometimes rupture, emotional additional larvae, which might move to other organs and kind additional cysts.A busted or leaky cyst can cause an allergy-like reaction, with itching, hives, swelling and issue breathing. Surgery or organ transplantation is also required in severe cases.
Prevention
To prevent tapeworm infection:
Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or handling food and after using the toilet.
When traveling in areas wherever platyhelminth is additional common, wash and cook all fruits and vegetables with safe water before eating. If water may not be safe, make sure to boil it for a minimum of a moment and so let it cool off before exploiting it.
Eliminate eutherian exposure to flatworm eggs by properly doing away with animal and human feces.
Thoroughly cook meat at temperatures of at least 145 F (63 C) to kill tapeworm eggs or larvae.
Freeze meat for as long as seven to ten days and fish for a minimum of twenty four hours in an exceedingly electric refrigerator with a temperature of -31 F (-35 C) to kill flatworm eggs and larvae.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked pork, beef and fish.
Promptly treat dogs infected with tapeworm.
Diagnosis Tapeworm Infection
To diagnose a tapeworm infection, your doctor may rely on one of the following:
Stool sample analysis. For AN internal organ flatworm infection, your doctor could check your stool or send samples to a science laboratory for testing. A laboratory uses microscopic identification techniques to envision for eggs or tapeworm segments in your feces. As a result of the eggs and segments being passed irregularly, the lab may have to gather 2 to 3 samples over an amount of time to notice the parasite. Eggs are typically given at the porta, therefore your doctor may use a bit of clear tape ironed to the anus to collect eggs for microscopic identification.
Blood test. For tissue-invasive infections, your doctor may additionally take a look at your blood for antibodies your body may have created to fight flatworm infection. The presence of those antibodies indicates tapeworm infestation.
Imaging exam. Certain types of imaging, such as CT or MRI scans, X-rays, or ultrasounds of cysts, may suggest invasive tapeworm infection.
Treatment Tapeworm Infection
There are a few different ways that you can get rid of intestinal worms naturally. You can eat foods that will help to expel the worms, or you can take herbal supplements that will help to kill the worms. In addition, there are a few things that you can do to help keep your immune system strong and discourage the growth of intestinal worms.
There are many ways to get rid of intestinal worms naturally. One popular way is to use a combination of garlic, ginger, and onion. These ingredients can be eaten separately or in a combination tea. Another way is to use pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds can be eaten raw or ground into a powder and taken with water. Wormwood is also a popular herb used to get rid of intestinal worms naturally. It can be taken as an extract or in capsule form.
There are several ways that you can get rid of intestinal worms naturally. One way is to eat foods that are high in fiber, because fiber helps to push the worms out of your system. Another way is to drink plenty of fluids, because this will help to flush the worms out of your body. You can also take herbal supplements that are designed to kill intestinal worms. And finally, you can exercise regularly, because this will help to expel the parasites from your body.
Some folks with flatworm infections ne'er would like treatment, for the tapeworm exits the body on its own. Others don't notice they need it as a result of having no symptoms. However, if you're diagnosed with enteral tapeworm infection, medication can seemingly be prescribed to urge obviate it.
Treatments for intestinal infections
The most common treatment for infection involves oral medications that are poisonous to the adult tapeworm, including:
Praziquantel (Biltricide)
Albendazole (Albenza)
Nitazoxanide (Alinia)
Which medication your doctor prescribes depends on the species of cestode concerned and therefore the website of the infection. These medicines target the adult tapeworm, not the eggs, therefore it's necessary to avoid reinfecting yourself. perpetually wash your hands once victimizing the rest room and before eating. To be sure that your infection has cleared, your doctor can most likely have your stool samples checked at certain intervals after you've finished taking your medication. Roaring treatment — which means that your stool is freed from tapeworm eggs, larvae or proglottids — is presumably if you receive acceptable treatment for the type of cestode inflicting your infection.
Treatments for invasive infections
Treating an invasive infection depends on the location and effects of the infection.
Anthelmintic drugs. Albendazole (Albenza) will shrink some cestode cysts. Your doctor might monitor the cysts sporadically, exploiting imaging studies like ultrasound or X-ray to make certain the drug is effective.
Anti-inflammatory therapy. Dying platyhelminth cysts will cause swelling or inflammation in tissues or organs, thus your doctor could suggest prescription corticoid medication, love anti-inflammatory or dexamethasone, to scale back inflammation.
Anti-epileptic therapy. If the disease is causing seizures, anti-epileptic medications can stop them.
Shunt placement. One kind of invasive infection will cause an excessive amount of fluid on the brain, referred to as hydrocephalus. Your doctor might advocate putting a permanent tube (shunt) in your head to empty the fluid.
- Medicines may be prescribed to the mouth. The digestive system does not absorb these medications well, so they either dissolve or attack and kill the adult tapeworm.A doctor may recommend that the patient take a laxative to help the tapeworm exit their intestines. If the patient has a pork tapeworm infection, they may be given an anti-emetic medication to prevent vomiting. Vomiting during a tapeworm infection can lead to another infection by swallowing the worm. Caterpillars are small, winged creatures that eat leaves.The patient's stools will be checked several times after taking these medications. If the medications are followed properly, 95% of the time they will be effective.
If the infection affects tissues other than the intestine, the patient may have to take a course of anti-inflammatory steroids to reduce swelling caused by the development of cysts.
Surgery. Whether cysts are often removed surgically depends on their location and symptoms. Cysts that develop within the liver, lungs and eyes are generally removed, since they'll eventually threaten organ function. Your doctor may suggest a drain tube as another to surgery. The tube permits aggressive removal (irrigation) of the realm with anti-parasitic solutions.
- If a patient has cysts that have developed in vital organs such as the lungs or liver, surgery may be required. The doctor may inject the cyst with medication to destroy the larvae before removing the cyst.Share on PinterestThe pork tapeworm is a type of worm.Most people become infected by eating tapeworm eggs or larvae. The most common way to become infected is through ingestion, usually through eating tapeworm eggs or larvae.
Preparing for your appointment
For a platyhelminth infection, you could} initially see your primary physician. However, in some cases, he or she may refer you to a doctor who focuses on infectious diseases or a doctor who specializes in disorders of the alimentary tract (gastroenterologist). Here's some data to assist you prepare for your appointment, and what you'll be able to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
Write down the symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Write down key personal information, including any recent travel, especially to other countries. Tell your doctor if you believe you've been exposed to food or water contaminated with tapeworm.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. For tapeworm infection, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Are there other possible causes?
What kinds of tests do I need, if any?
What treatments are available and which do you recommend?
Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may suggest that you just bring a stool sample to your appointment for testing. Your doctor may additionally ask you questions about your condition, such as:
When did your symptoms begin?
How severe are your symptoms?
Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
Does anything make your symptoms worse?
Have you traveled recently? To what areas?
Could you have been exposed to food or drink contaminated with tapeworm?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to check your doctor, attempt to keep well-hydrated.
General summary
How long does a tapeworm infection last?
A tapeworm infection is an intestinal infection that may cause a person to develop abdominal pain nausea and diarrhea People can become infected by eating undercooked beef pork or fish The tapeworm attaches itself to the wall of the small intestine and begins to grow releasing eggs into the intestinal tract A tapeworm infection usually lasts around two months at which time the worm dies and passes out of the body with bowel movements.
What kills tapeworms naturally?
While you may not like the idea of having a tapeworm living inside your body they're rarely dangerous to humans In fact most people who have them don't even know about it However if you suspect that you or someone in your family is infected with tapeworms it's important to take steps to get rid of the parasites Fortunately there are a few natural remedies that can help kill tapeworms without side effects Let's look at three ways to treat an infestation of tapeworms naturally.
How do you know if you have a tapeworm inside you?
Tapeworms are long flat and narrow parasitic worms that have ribbon-like bodies They feed on the food you eat and then pass out of your body in your stool They produce eggs that can infect the people who handle the stool or eat undercooked meat If a tapeworm is inside you you may experience symptoms such as weight loss abdominal discomfort from burping nausea and vomiting Because tapeworms live in your intestines they can sometimes be seen in your stool if they break apart while passing through your digestive system.
What medicine treats tapeworms?
Medicine to treat tapeworms is the same as medicine to treat parasitic infections The medication is designed to kill the tapeworm before it can reproduce. Depending on your symptoms and how advanced the infection is you may need to take different types of medications.
What foods have tapeworms?
Infection with tapeworms can be prevented by following proper food safety procedures Raw or undercooked beef is more likely to contain tapeworm than any other type of meat Tapeworm eggs are also found on vegetables that have been contaminated by human feces and have not been properly washed Although segments of the worm known as proglottids can be seen in the stool it is difficult to identify specific parasitic infections through examination of a person's stool without a microscope Properly washing all produce and cooking all meats completely is the best way to avoid infection with tapeworms and other parasites.