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Tapeworm Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Another name for a tapeworm infection is taeniasis. It is caused by a parasite that lives in the bowels of cows or pigs. Tapeworm infection is more common in places where there is poor sanitation. ‚  
Tapeworms live inside your bowels. You may not have any signs. You may not know that you have them until you see parts of the tapeworms in your stools. If tapeworm eggs are swallowed they may move in the body to your brain, eyes, or heart. This may be very serious. Treating a tapeworm early can lower the chance of you having problems later on. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Wash your hands with warm water and soap after toilet use and before handling foods.
  • Avoid handling foods when you have an infection.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Kill the worms. This is often a single dose drug.
  • Make the worms pass out of your intestine and into your stools
  • Clear your bowels to help tapeworms come out of your intestine
  • Help with pain
  • Lower fever

What problems could happen?


Serious damage to other organs like the liver, lungs, eyes, and brain. ‚  

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Cook meat with care and the right way.
  • Freeze meats to -4 ‚ °F (-20 ‚ °C) for at least 24 hours.
  • Avoid eating raw and undercooked meat.
  • Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Belly pain
  • Loss of hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Throwing up
  • Loose stools
  • Fever
  • Passing small parts of the tapeworm in your stool
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how and when to wash my hands to avoid passing the infection to others.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have belly pain, throwing up, or loose stools.

Where can I learn more?


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚  
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/taeniasis/gen_info/faqs.html ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tapeworm-infections/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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