cdc - taeniasis - general information - frequently asked questions (faqs)

7/28/2019 CDC - Taeniasis - General Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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www.cdc.gov/parasites/taeniasis/gen_info/faqs.html 1/3

Taeniasis FAQs

What is taeniasis?

Taeniasis in humans is a parasitic infection caused by the tapeworm species Taenia saginata(beef tapeworm), Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), and Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm).Humans can become infected with these tapeworms by eating raw or undercooked beef (T.saginata) or pork (T. solium and T. asiatica). People with taeniasis may not know they have atapeworm infection because symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent.

T. solium tapeworm infections can lead to cysticercosis(/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html) , which is a disease that can cause seizures, so it isimportant seek treatment.

More on: Cysticercosis (/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html)

Where does taeniasis occur?

Taenia saginata and T. solium are found worldwide. Infections with T. saginata occurwherever contaminated raw beef is eaten, particularly in Eastern Europe, Russia, easternAfrica and Latin America. Taeniasis due to T. saginata is rare in the United States, except inplaces where cattle and people are concentrated and sanitation is poor, such as around feed lotswhere cattle can be exposed to human feces. Tapeworm infections due to T. solium are moreprevalent in under-developed communities with poor sanitation and where people eat raw orundercooked pork. Higher rates of illness have been seen in people in Latin America, Eastern

Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Asia. Taenia solium taeniasis is seen in the UnitedStates, typically among Latin American immigrants. Taenia asiatica is limited to Asia and isseen mostly in the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Thailand.

What are the signs and symptoms oftaeniasis?Most people with tapeworm infections have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Patients with T.saginata taeniasis often experience more sy mptoms that those with T. solium or T. asiaticainfections because the T. saginata tapeworm is larger in size (up to 10 meters (m)) than theother two tapeworms (usually 3 m). Tapeworms can cause digestive problems includingabdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and upset stomach. The most visible sign of

taeniasis is the active passing of proglottids (tapeworm segments) through the anus and in thefeces. In rare cases, tapeworm segments become lodged in the appendix, or the bile andpancreatic ducts.

Infection with T. solium tapeworms can result in human cysticercosis(/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html) , which can be a very serious disease that can causeseizures and muscle or ey e damage.

Taenia saginata does not cause cysticercosis in humans. It is not clear ifT. asiatica causescysticercosis in humans or not.

Is taeniasis common?Taeniasis is under-reported in a significant portion of the world because diagnosis is difficult inresource-poor settings. The number of new cases in the U.S. each year is probably less than1000, but an exact number is not known.
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html


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What should I do if I think I have taeniasis?

Contact your health care provider for proper diagnosis and care.

Is medication available to treat taeniasis?Yes. Praziquantel is the drug of choice. Niclosamide is an alternative drug. See your health careprovider for proper diagnosis and care.

How did I get taeniasis?Eating raw or undercooked contaminated beef or pork is the primary risk factor for acquiringtaeniasis. Because of this, certain groups with dietary restrictions for these meats may have alower risk of taeniasis.

How can I prevent infection with taeniasis?

One way to prevent taeniasis is to cook meat to safe temperatures. A food thermometershould be used to measure the internal temperature of cooked meat. Do not sample meat untilit is cooked. USDA recommends the following for meat preparation.

For Whole Cuts of Meat (excluding poultry)Cook to at least 145 F (63 C) as measured with a food thermometer placed in thethickest part of the meat, then allow the meat to rest* for three minutes beforecarving or consuming.

For Ground Meat (excluding poultry)Cook to at least 160 F (71 C); ground meats do not require a rest* time.

*According to USDA, "A 'rest time' is the amount of time the product remains at the finaltemperature, after it has been removed from a grill, oven, or other heat source. During thethree minutes after meat is removed from the heat source, its temperature remains constant

or continues to rise, which destroys pathogens."More on: Fight BAC: Safe Food Handling (http://www.fightbac.org/safe-food-handling) (http://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html)

Should I be concerned about spreading taeniasis to the rest of myhousehold?No. However, a disease called cysticercosis can occur when T. solium tapeworm eggs areingested. For example, people with poor hygiene who have taeniasis -- with or withoutsymptoms -- will shed tapeworm eggs in their feces and might accidentally contaminate their

environment. This can lead to transmission of cysticercosis to themselves or othersunknowingly.

More on: Cysticercosis (/parasites/cysticercosis/index.html)

Can I get taeniasis from my dog or cat that was diagnosed withtapeworm infection?

In general, no. The tapeworm that your pet was diagnosed with is more than likely the fleatapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). Dog or cat tapeworm infections are a result of your petswallowing a parasite-contaminated flea. Only in very rare instances do humans accidentallyswallow the contaminated fleas.

More on: Dipylidium Infection (/parasites/dipylidium/index.html)
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/dipylidium/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cysticercosis/index.htmlhttp://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.htmlhttp://www.fightbac.org/safe-food-handling


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Page last rev iewed: January 1 0, 201 3

Page last updated: January 1 0, 201 3

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This information is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute forconsultation with a health care provider. If you have any questions about the parasitesdescribed above or think that you may have a parasitic infection, consult a health careprovider.
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