Tapeworms (2024)

Tapeworms are flat, ribbon-like worms that can live in your gut if you swallow their eggs or small, newly hatched worms. Tapeworm infections are rare in Northern Ireland, but are fairly common in other parts of the world.

Symptoms of a tapeworm infection

Tapeworms usually cause few or no symptoms. Many can be easily treated. But very occasionally, the worms can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious problems.

You may only find out you have one if you spot a bit of worm in your poo.

Worms in your poo

Bits of tapeworm found in poo are often:

flat and rectangular
white or pale yellow
the size of a grain of rice – but sometimes they're joined together in a long chain

The pieces of worm may move about.

If you see tiny white worms that look like pieces of thread, they're probably threadworms.

These are more common in Northern Ireland, particularly in children.

Other symptoms

Tapeworms can also sometimes cause other symptoms, such as:

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if:

you see any worms or bits of worm in your or your child's poo
you have any worrying symptoms that don't go away, such as tummy pain, diarrhoea, or weight loss

If you see a worm in your poo, it can help to put the poo in a clean container and take it to your GP. They can send it to a laboratory to find out what it is.

If you don't have a sample to bring in, your doctor may give you a container and ask you collect one when you next do a poo. They may also look for eggs or small worms around your bottom.

As tapeworms are rare in Northern Ireland, your GP may refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment if they think you might have one but can’t be sure from testing; or think it might possibly be something else.

Treatment for a tapeworm infection

A tapeworm infection can usually be treated with a single tablet of a prescription medicine. This kills the worm so it passes out in your poo. Your GP will discuss which treatment options with you.

In the weeks after taking the tablet, make sure you wash your hands regularly, particularly before eating and after using the toilet.

This will stop any eggs getting into your mouth and infecting you again.

How you get tapeworms

You can get a tapeworm infection if their eggs or small newly hatched worms (larvae) get in your mouth.

There are several ways this can happen, including:

eating raw or undercooked beef, pork, or freshwater fish (like salmon or trout) – these can contain live tapeworm larvae if they're not cooked thoroughly
drinking water or eating food that contains or has been in contact with bits of poo of an infected person or animal
close contact with someone who has a tapeworm – they may pass out eggs in their poo, which can get on clothing, surfaces and food

Tapeworms are found throughout the world, including in Northern Ireland. But you're more likely to get them in places with poor sanitation and less strict food hygiene standards.

Preventing tapeworm infections

To help reduce your chances of getting a tapeworm:

don't eat raw or undercooked pork, beef, or freshwater fish
cook meat and fish thoroughly and all the way through – don't allow raw meat or fish to touch cooked meat or fish
wash vegetables and fruit before you eat them
wash your hands with soap and water before handling food, before eating, after using the toiletand after close contact with animals
when travelling abroad, only drink water you know is clean

Take extra care if you work or live closely with animals or are staying in a part of the world where tapeworm infections are common.

Complications of tapeworm infections

In rare cases, tapeworms can cause serious problems if newly hatched worms get from the gut into other organs, such as the brain or liver.

The worms can form sacs called cysts, which can stop the affected organ working properly.

This can only occur if you swallow the eggs of a type of tapeworm found in pigs. This can happen if tiny bits of poo of someone with this tapeworm get into your mouth. It can't happen from eating pork.

Depending on where they form, the cysts can cause problems such as:

headaches and fits (seizures)
yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
a cough, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood
vision problems
a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – this can happen if a cyst bursts open

Cysts can be difficult to treat. Treatment may involve a long course of anti-worm medicine and possibly surgery to remove the cysts.

Dog tapeworms (hydatid disease)

In some parts of the world (and rarely in Northern Ireland), a type of tapeworm found in dogs can spread to people. This is called hydatid disease.

Infections with these tapeworms can be serious and difficult to treat. But simple precautions like getting your dog dewormed regularly and not feeding them raw meat can help you avoid it.