Tapeworms in children
Having a tapeworm can be a stressful and embarrassing
situation for a child. He has cramps and feels nauseous and has pain in his
stomach exhibiting symptoms of tapeworm infestation. According to
Livestrong.com there are four types of tapeworms: the beef, fish, pork and
dwarf tapeworms. All are flat worms that live in parasites. Tapeworms come
about when humans ingest the eggs or larvae from undercooked meat and also when
there is contact with fecal matter. Infection can spread in many ways, even through
contaminated water and the poop of infected pigs. The dwarf tapeworm is about 7
to 10 inches in length; the beef, fish and pork tapeworms are as long as 30 or
more feet. The eggs or larvae attach to the intestines where if they are not
medically removed they can survive in your gut for ten or more years.
Dangerous tapeworm
for humans
The most dangerous tapeworm for humans is the dwarf tapeworm
which affects the liver, brain, and spinal cord and which comes from the direct
ingestion of tapeworm eggs. This tapeworm is found in the Middle East,
Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of the United States. Person to person
transmission is common and young kids are hosts to these creatures as a result
of lapses in oral hygiene. The dwarf tapeworm grows inside rodents and insects
and humans easily contract the tapeworm by eating grain contaminated by vermin.
Getting rid of
tapeworms
If your child is not well and is complaining about nausea
and stomach pains, he might have a tapeworm. Tapeworms in kids are common as
they are crawlers and put things in their mouth, and also do not wash their
hands as often as they should. If you suspect that your four year old child
might be affected take him to the doctor immediately. Wash your hands with soap
and put on a pair of plastic gloves. Collect a sample of his stool. Some
tapeworms can be seen to be moving in the stool and this would make a perfect
sample. Deposit the stool in a clean jar with a lid. Do not touch the jar
unless you are wearing gloves. Put the jar in a clean plastic bag and take it
with to the doctor. Tapeworm infestation
is treated with medication and good hygiene. Some tapeworms are tough to remove
and some come crawling through the skin. Stay with the treatment until
everything is eradicated and the child is free and clear of worms.
