PLATYHELMINTHES PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

WHAT IS A TAPEWORM?

• a parasitic flatworm, the adult of which lives in the intestine of humans

WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE TAPEWORM?

• Egg or tapeworm feces are past into the environment
• Eggs or segments are digested by animals or humans
• Tapeworm embryos hatch, penetrate the intestinal wall animals or humans
• Embryos into larvae
• Cysts may devolop in any organ and adults in small intestine

WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTION TIPS RELATED TO COOKING AND FOOD PRESERVATION?

• Cooking meat throughly
• Personal hygiene
• Freezing meat
• Watch what you eat in foreign countries
• Make sure water is clean

WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTION TIPS RELATED TO CONTACT WITH PETS?

• Always dispose of your pets’ poo to limit environmental contamination with worm eggs
• Wash your hands after playing with your pet

WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTION TIPS RELATED TO PERSONAL HYGIENE?

• Brush your teeth
• Wash yourself
• Wash your clothes
• Use soap
• Deorderant

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TAPEWORM INFECTION IN HUMANS?

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Abdominal pain

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR TAPEWORM INFECTION IN HUMANS?

• medicine for tapeworms is praziquantel (Biltricide)