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Echinococcosis


About this topic


Echinococcosis is an infection caused by tapeworms. This kind of worm is often found in dogs, sheep, and cows. They live in the animals belly. The eggs are shed into the animal's stool. You may become infected when you take the eggs into your mouth. The egg can settle in your organs like your brain, liver, and lungs. They grow into cysts over time. These cysts can cause problems with many parts of your body. ‚  


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What are the causes?


This infection is caused by tapeworms. They are also known as Echinococcus. ‚  

What can make this more likely to happen?


People can get a tapeworm by: ‚  
  • Eating meat from an infected animal
  • Touching infected stools or infected animals and not washing your hands afterwards
  • Poor sanitation
  • Eating vegetables or drinking fluids contaminated with animal stool

What are the main signs?


A tapeworm infection most often does not cause any signs. But, some may have: ‚  
  • Belly pain
  • Chest pain
  • Weight loss
  • Yellowish skin color
  • Cough that wont go away
  • Bloody stools
  • Seizures
  • Weakness

How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?


Your doctor will ask about your health history and do an exam. The doctor will check your belly to see if it feels tender. The doctor will also look for any signs of a lump. You may need to have blood, urine, or stool tests. The doctor may order other tests like an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound. This will help to see if the infection has spread to other parts of your body. ‚  

How does the doctor treat this health problem?


  • Doctors treat this illness by giving drugs. Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • Your doctor may do a surgery to remove cysts that are causing the signs.
  • The doctor may place a needle inside a cyst to get rid of fluid. This is done with the help of an ultrasound. The doctor may also put in a killing agent after withdrawing fluid.
  • In bad cases, your doctor will remove tapeworms by surgery. Your doctor may put in a drug to kill the tapeworm before taking it out.

Are there other health problems to treat?


  • The infection may come back after some time
  • Cysts can settle in different parts of your body. This can cause problems with your liver, heart, nerves, eyes, or other organs
  • Muscle swelling
  • Low red blood cells (anemia)

What lifestyle changes are needed?


  • Avoid sharing your personal things with other people.
  • Wash your hands before and after using the restroom.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor will order drugs to: ‚  
  • Kill the worms
  • Help you pass the tapeworms in your stool
  • Clear your bowels to help tapeworms come out of your intestines
  • Help with pain
  • Lower fever

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Take care with your food and drinks.
    • Avoid eating unprocessed or raw animal products like raw meats, milk, and unprocessed cheese.
    • Wash vegetables and fruits with care before eating or serving them.
    • Cook meat with care and the right way. Avoid eating raw and undercooked meat.
    • Freeze meats to -4 ‚ °F (-20 ‚ °C) for at least 24 hours.
    • If you think that your drinking water may be contaminated, let it boil for at least 30 minutes.
  • Take extra care around animals.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. This is very important after playing with or touching your dog. Also, wash after touching any animal. Be sure to do this if you work with animals or on a farm.
    • Wear proper gear if your work involves handling animal products.
    • Treat your pets and other family animals against worms.
    • Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
    • Teach children to wash their hands correctly and often.
    • Avoid contact with wild animals.

Where can I learn more?


FamilyDoctor.org ‚  
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/echinococcosis.printerview.all.html ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tapeworm-infections/Pages/Complications.aspx ‚  
World Health Organization ‚  
http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/echinococcosis/en/index.html ‚  

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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