Tapeworm Symptoms in Humans: What to Know

Tapeworm symptoms in humans include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and weight loss. However, symptoms can vary based on the type of tapeworm, and they do not always cause symptoms. 

The most obvious sign of a tapeworm is seeing proglottids in your stool. Proglottids are egg-containing segments of tapeworms that break away from the head and neck of the parasite. They're whiteish and look like little grains of white rice that may be moving. 

Tapeworm infestations begin as an intestinal parasite. However, proglottids can break off, travel throughout the body, and infest other organs. When this happens, serious complications can occur.

This article discusses tapeworm symptoms in humans. It also explores the range of symptoms by type of tapeworm, potential complications, and when you should see a healthcare provider.

What Are the Symptoms of Tapeworms in Humans?

Tapeworms are a type of flatworm that lives in the digestive tract of people or animals. You may be infected with a tapeworm for months or even years before symptoms appear.

If you do have symptoms, the digestive system is often affected. Other symptoms may vary depending on the type of tapeworm.

Common Tapeworm Symptoms

While tapeworm symptoms depend on the type, they primarily affect your digestive system. Common tapeworm symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Decreased appetite 
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Weight loss

Signs of tapeworms may also be visible in your stool. Egg-containing tapeworm segments, known as proglottids, break away from the main parasite and travel through the digestive system.

When proglottids are passed in a bowel movement, you may see them in the toilet. They are thin, whiteish tubes that look similar to rice and can be about a half-inch to an inch long.

Asian, Beef, and Pork Tapeworm Symptoms

Symptoms of Asian, beef, and pork tapeworms are generally the same. However, the beef tapeworm is the largest of these parasites. It can grow to over 30 feet long and may be more likely to cause noticeable symptoms. 

Symptoms of these three types of tapeworm may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Lack of appetite 
• Visible tapeworm segments in your stool
• Unintended weight loss
• Upset stomach

These tapeworms can get quite long and produce tens of thousands of eggs that develop into more tapeworms.

Dwarf Tapeworm Symptoms

Dwarf tapeworm symptoms are similar but may make you feel sicker than the Asian, beef, or pork worms. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Weakness

In children, dwarf tapeworm symptoms may also include:

• Anal itching
• Headache
• Sleep disturbances

The dwarf tapeworm is named for its size—it's usually only about two inches long.

Fish or Broad Tapeworm Symptoms

Fish tapeworm symptoms are usually mild. They can include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness
• Unintended weight loss

The fish tapeworm can reach a length of 30 feet.

Complications of Tapeworm Infection

You can get complications from a tapeworm infection if tapeworm sections or eggs migrate away from the parasite inside or outside the digestive tract. Again, this depends on the type of tapeworm you have.

An adult tapeworm in the digestive tract produces segments, or proglottids, that contain both female and male reproductive parts.

Proglottids become pregnant with eggs and are released from the parent tapeworm. They can pass into other areas of the digestive system or out of the body in a bowel movement.

Asian, Beef, and Pork Tapeworm Complications

It's rare, but when the proglottids from Asian, beef, and pork tapeworms migrate through your digestive tract and to other organs, they can block bile ducts or enter the appendix.

Symptoms of a blocked bile duct can include:

• Middle abdomen pain
• Nausea
• Severe, increasing upper abdominal pain lasting 30 minutes to hours
• Pain between the shoulder blades 
• Pain under the right shoulder
• Vomiting

A proglottid in the appendix can cause appendicitis, a potentially life-threatening illness. Get emergency medical help if you have abdominal pain that:

• Begins near your belly button and moves to your lower right abdomen
• Starts suddenly
• Gets worse with movement, deep breathing, and sneezing
• Worsens over several hours
• Gets better when you press on the spot, then worsens when you release the pressure

Other appendicitis symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Abdominal swelling

More Pork Tapeworm Complications

Eggs of the pork tapeworm can cause a serious complication called cysticercosis.

Cysticercosis typically develops from eating food contaminated with T. solium eggs. When the eggs are ingested, the oncospheres (eggs) hatch and penetrate the intestinal wall and proceed to cause cysts where ever they end up.

A cyst is a small sac or cavity that contains fluid. Cysts from tapeworm larvae can be in many different places, including:

• Muscles
• Eyes
• Brain
• Under the skin
• Other organs

When a cyst forms in the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) it causes a complication called neurocysticercosis. The symptoms of this condition depend on the exact location of the cysts but can include:

• Headaches
• Seizures 
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness 

While rare in the United States, neurocysticercosis is a major public health concern in developing nations where human tapeworm infections are more common.

Fish or Broad Tapeworm Complications

The fish tapeworm siphons vitamin B12 out of your body, which can cause a B12 deficiency. Because B12 is necessary for you to create blood cells, the parasite can lead to anemia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neuropathy (pain from damaged nerves), which can be life-threatening if untreated. Symptoms of fish tapeworm complications can include:

• Depression
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Low energy
• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

The fish tapeworm can lead to bowel obstructions due to its length and migrating proglottids. Proglottids can also cause gallbladder problems.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Tapeworm symptoms can often fly under the radar until more obvious or severe symptoms occur. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your healthcare provider:

• Anal itching
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• "Grains of rice" or inch-long whitish strings in your stool
• Headaches
• Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat
• Lack of appetite
• Low energy 
• Ongoing diarrhea or abdominal pain
• Pain between shoulder blades
• Ringing in ears
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities
  
• Unintended weight loss
  

When to Go to the ER

Tapeworms can cause serious complications, including intestinal blockage, appendicitis, or neurological symptoms requiring emergency medical care. Go to the emergency room if you experience the following:

• Abdominal distention, along with a lack of bowel movements
• Diarrhea or vomiting that is severe or persists for several days, which may cause dehydration
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain, especially if it starts near the belly button and moves to your lower right abdomen
• Severe, increasing upper abdominal pain lasting 30 minutes to hours
  
• Weakness or tingling in your arms or legs

Summary

Tapeworm symptoms can be mild or non-existent. When you do have symptoms, they're usually digestive (abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite).

Other symptoms and possible complications are different depending on what type of tapeworm you have. Complications can include anemia, vitamin D deficiency, and seizures.

You should see a healthcare provider for ongoing digestive symptoms, symptoms of intestinal blockage, or neurological problems such as seizures and numbness in your hands and feet.