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Diphyllobothriasis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Fish tapeworm infection

Symptoms:

The vast majority of infected individuals have no symptoms. Symptoms seen with heavy infections may include:

• vague abdominal discomfort
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• abdominal pain due to intestinal blockage by worms
• individuals with vitamin B-12 deficiency may suffer:
  • fatigue due to anemia
  • numbness and tingling in their limbs
  • confusion or dementia

Signs and tests:

• infected individuals sometimes pass visible segments of worm (proglottids) in stool
• stool smear for tapeworm eggs
• CBC may reveal anemia with large red blood cells (macrocytic anemia)

• Review Date: 10/27/2005
• Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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