How to Prevent Cysticercosis (Pork Tapeworm Infection)

Cysticercosis is a tissue infection of pork tapeworms (Taenia solium). The condition is caused by ingestion of tapeworm eggs through food, drink, or direct contact. To prevent cysticercosis, always wash your hands and encourage others to do so as well. Peel and rinse your produce thoroughly before consumption. Avoid eating pork or other meats unless they’re cooked thoroughly. If you are in a developing country, use special caution with food and drink to ensure you are not infected.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Minimizing Risk

1
Avoid eating meat. While pork is the prime culprit for spreading T. solium, their eggs can also be found on meat that was stored or transported alongside pork. Meat infested with pork tapeworms cannot lead directly to cysticercosis, but it can lead to taeniasis, a tapeworm infection of the gut.
- If you choose to eat meat, cook your meat well to destroy potential infestation of T. solium. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your meat reaches temperatures greater than 149 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius).^{[1]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Freezing or thoroughly cooking pork can destroy worms, but pickling and salting are not adequate techniques.
2
Use caution in high-risk areas.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} In the U.S., the most common areas for cysticercosis infection are California, Arizona, and Texas. In Europe, most cases are reported in Spain and Portugal.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source} The disease is more widespread in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where farms often do not adhere to strict sanitation guidelines and rates of infection are highest.
- Look out for restaurants, too, when traveling through a high-risk area. Do not dine in establishments where employees do not wash their hands. They might accidentally transfer tapeworm larvae onto your food.
3
Wash and peel your fruits and vegetables.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source} Washing your produce thoroughly will remove Taenia solium larvae that cause cysticercosis. Place your produce beneath cool, flowing tap water. Move the fruit or vegetable slowly around beneath the tap so that the entire surface is washed.
- Do not dip your veggies and fruit in a bowl or sink filled with water. This will not clean them adequately.
4
Wash your hands frequently.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}^{[6]XResearch source} The importance of washing your hands when trying to prevent fecal-oral contamination cannot be overstated. Use an antibacterial soap and scrub for at least twenty seconds.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands and between your fingers in addition to washing your palms.
- If you or someone you live with has taeniasis, you are at much higher risk of ingesting tapeworm larvae and developing cysticercosis.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
- If you have children, teach them the importance of handwashing. Demonstrate how to do it several times until they get the hang of it.
- You should take special care to wash your hands when preparing or eating food, changing diapers, and after using the toilet.
5
Drink clean water.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} Because T. solium can be found in local water supplies, bottled or boiled water is the way to go when trying to avoid cysticercosis.^{[10]XResearch source} If you boil water, let it boil for at least one minute before letting it cool to a drinkable temperature. Alternately, use an “absolute 1 micron or less” filter and dissolve iodine tablets in the water after filtering it.
- Be sure to check the seal on your bottled water. Many restaurants in developing countries refill their water bottles with tap water and serve them to customers a second time.
- ”Absolute 1 micron or less” filters are available at camping supply stores.
- Do not drink from fountains or use ice cubes in areas where pigs are allowed to roam freely or in countries where sanitation and hygiene are inadequate.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognizing Symptoms

^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} Cysticercosis generally causes cysts in the muscles. While these are often undetectable, they might form small bumps beneath your skin. These bumps may feel tender and sensitive.
2
Look for cysts in the eyes.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} You can detect eye cysts through a disruption in your ability to see clearly. Your vision might be blurred or unfocused. Occasionally your eyes will become swollen. Eye cysts might also cause detachment of the retina, which can produce mottled vision, dark spots in your field of vision, or what appear to be bright flashes of light.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Eye cysts, in extreme cases, can lead to blindness.
- Get checked out immediately by a medical professional if you have any disruption in vision.
^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source} Heart palpitations or an abnormally slow heart beat may be due to a tapeworm infection. You might feel lightheaded or faint due to the presence of cysts that prevent your heart from functioning normally. In serious cases you could suffer stroke, heart failure, and death.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source}
4
Stay alert for other cyst hotspots.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} Neurocysticercosis is a variety of cysticercosis that occurs in the brain or spine. Cysts in either location may cause headaches and seizures. Cognitive difficulties — including confusion, nervousness, or an inability to concentrate — might also appear.
- Other symptoms that cysts have developed in the brain or spine include a buildup of fluid in the brain which could lead to poor coordination, nausea or vomiting, and/or an inability to balance.
- Neurocysticercosis is very dangerous and could lead to death.
- Around 80% of neurocysticercosis infections have no symptoms.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Treatment includes the combination praziquantel and albendazole, which has been associated with a higher rate success rate.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Treatment

1
Contact your doctor immediately.^{[18]XResearch source} In order to limit the impact of your infection, and prevent you from infecting others, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you become aware of your illness. Since the infection often does not produce any observable symptoms, it is important to get regular checkups. Try to see your physician at least once every six months.
- You might exhibit symptoms anywhere from several weeks to 10 years after initial infection.
There are a number of tests a doctor might run to determine if you have cysticercosis. You might, for instance, get a blood test to detect antibodies against the pork tapeworm. You might also get a biopsy, in which a needle is used to extract a small portion of your body’s tissue and look for signs of tapeworms. Finally, you might have an imaging exam such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan, or an ultrasound to get a better idea of where the cysts are.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source} Corticosteroids (a class of medications that relieve inflammation) may be prescribed to reduce swelling, especially in the case of cysts located in your eye or brain. Steroids are also useful for preventing adverse effects brought on by other anti-tapeworm medications.
^{[21]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source} There are several powerful antiparasitic drugs that a doctor might prescribe for you. Two common drugs are albendazole and praziquantel. Praziquantel is a medication designed specifically for treating flatworms and flukes. Albendazole is a more generalized medication useful for treating a variety of parasitic infections, but tends to be the preferred treatment method for cysticercosis.
^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human ServicesGo to source} In serious cases, especially cases where medication is ineffective, surgery may be necessary to remove cysts. Talk to your doctor about alternative options before getting surgery to treat cysticercosis.
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Tips

Cysticercosis is closely associated with taeniasis, the infection of the intestines with tapeworms. If you or someone close to you suffers from taeniasis, they might experience stomach pain, constipation, or a loss of appetite.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} Monitor these symptoms closely, especially if you are at elevated risk for taeniasis or cysticercosis.
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The infection is most often treated with a combination of anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Warnings

Death can occur suddenly when there are a large number of cysts in the brain.
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A person who has a tapeworm infection can reinfect themselves.
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