{"id":5192,"date":"2019-03-19T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-03-19T06:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=5192"},"modified":"2021-03-29T19:27:14","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T19:27:14","slug":"10-known-risk-factors-of-getting-tapeworm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/10-known-risk-factors-of-getting-tapeworm\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Known Risk Factors of Getting Tapeworm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Most of the tapeworm contaminations that you\u2019ll see stem from the consumption of undercooked fish, pork, or other types of raw meat. That said, it isn\u2019t the only way to get tapeworm contamination. The other way that some people get tapeworm contaminations is through human to human transmission. One of the ways that this happens is through poor hygiene such as someone failing to wash their hands following a trip to the bathroom then preparing dinner. People who live near livestock or even wild animals could also get tapeworm contaminations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, areas with poor sanitation are also at higher risk than those in developed countries. Tapeworm contaminations are far more prominent in developing nations that still struggle to fund their sanitation. The population in developing nations also eat raw meats more frequently than other modernized nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bear in mind that not only people who live in these areas are at risk. Those traveling to these parts in the world might also pick up the infection and then bring it home with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Undercooked fish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the easiest ways to get tapeworm contaminations is by eating undercooked fish<\/a>. The broad tapeworms that can infect fish are prominently present in freshwater species like perch, trout, salmon, and walleyed pike. Fish that are smoked, salted, or pickled could be insufficiently cooked \u2014 at least not in the capacity needed to kill off the tapeworms that might be within them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish who are infected with this variety of tapeworm is more often found in the Northern hemisphere in comparison to the Southern hemisphere. To avoid this type of tapeworm contamination, it\u2019s imperative that you ensure any fish you eat, regardless of its origin point, is sufficiently cooked to not only remove parasites but also any bacteria or viruses that may be lurking within the protein. This also puts sushi restaurants at risk since they don\u2019t cook their fish, and just serve them raw with a side of oyster sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Eating when traveling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Going to underdeveloped nations could also put people at risk of catching tapeworm contamination seeing as it is more common in these areas in the world in comparison to the United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of ensuring that food is sufficiently cooked becomes amplified due to the prevalence of these parasites <\/a>in underdeveloped nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also check to see that any food you eat containing water uses sanitary H2O. The water must be either treated with chemicals or boiled in order for any pathogens or parasites to be killed off. While the food may be sufficiently cooked, it can still be contaminated if it is prepared with unclean water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren\u2019t sure whether or not the dish you’ve been served at a foreign restaurant is sanitary, don\u2019t take the risk, just give it to someone in need. You\u2019ll feed someone hungry and avoid the risk of a parasitic infection all in one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Ingestion of larvae cysts in meat or muscle tissue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more disturbing ways to get tapeworm contamination is by ingesting larvae. If an animal is suffering from tapeworm contamination, the female specimens will leave the larvae within the muscle tissue. If you proceed to consume this meat that was taken from an infected animal, you\u2019ll inadvertently end up ingesting the larvae for yourself which will then grow into fully adult tapeworms <\/a>within your intestines and continue the life cycle of their species by giving birth to more larvae. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The length of adult tapeworms could reach as long as 80 feet in some cases. They stay alive for as long as three decades within their host. Some of them even become attached to the wall within the intestines which can lead to inflammation and irritation. Others could pass through your stool whenever you poop and quietly leave your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Eggs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eating eggs is another way to get tapeworm contamination. If you drink water or eat food that is contaminated with the fecal matter of an animal or person that is currently suffering from tapeworm contamination, you\u2019ll end up getting these minuscule tapeworm eggs in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, a pig that has a tapeworm will release the eggs through fecal matter which then seeps into the soil. If this contaminated soil comes into contact with a water or food source, the food and water itself will become contaminated. You could then be infected if you eat something that came from this tainted source. Once the eggs make their way into your intestines, they will mature into larvae and then mature further into adulthood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even at the larvae stage, the tapeworms are mobile. If they manage to escape the boundaries within your intestines, they\u2019ll lead to the formation of cysts in other areas within your body such as the liver <\/a>and lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned above, one of the risk factors for getting tapeworms is dependent on location. Eating in a foreign country or dining on imported fish is one thing, but actually living in a high-risk location will greatly increase the odds of getting tapeworm contamination at one or more points of your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you take the pork <\/a>tapeworm \u2014 which is officially named taenia solium \u2014 you\u2019ll see that it is more common in Southeast Asia, Africa, China, and Latin America due to the fact that these areas of the globe have more wild pigs in comparison to Western countries in the Northern hemisphere such as the United States, United Kingdom, or even desert nations such as Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in one of these high-risk areas, you should take extra precautions to ensure that you don\u2019t catch tapeworm contamination. Remember, prevention is the best cure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Exposed to farms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to livestock <\/a>can also increase your odds of developing tapeworm contamination. Due to this, statistics have shown that those working on farms have a significantly higher chance of getting tapeworm contamination in comparison to office workers. This is also more likely in areas in the world that do not properly dispose of animal feces and other waste products that are part of the livestock production process. Most of the nations that don\u2019t get rid of waste properly are those who are still developing or lack funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another cause for poor sanitation could be war as it often leads to both poverty and famine \u2014 two of the main factors that could lead to improper waste treatment. If you work on a farm, make sure that your boss is adhering to the safety standard set by your local government. If they aren\u2019t, force them to comply \u2014 even if that means threatening a report to the sanitation department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Poor hygiene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Poor hygiene <\/a>is another thing that can lead to tapeworm contaminations. If you don\u2019t wash your hands or bath often, you could easily infect yourself by ingesting contaminated matter such as eggs or larvae. Those with poor hygiene will also have a higher chance of transmitting the disease to other people as they could be carrying eggs under their nails or on their hands. It is due to this that tapeworm contaminations tend to spread faster in developing nations in comparison to modern nations since the developing nations have poorer handwashing etiquette in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know someone in your family has tapeworm contamination, ensure that they follow proper hygiene so that they don\u2019t infect other people in the household. This extends beyond family. You should also make sure that all the staff in your home maintains proper hygiene otherwise they could be at risk and put you at risk of getting tapeworm contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Drinking unclean water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re the type to drink water from a flowing mountain stream during hiking trips, you should change your habits and go get yourself tested with your physician<\/a>. Water at the mountain might look clean and sometimes even taste good, but they could also be infected with various types of parasites including the larvae of tapeworms \u2014 perhaps because an infected animal dumped their waste upstream. This risk is further increased if you\u2019re drinking stale water. If you must drink water from a source that could be contaminated, be sure that you filter it and then boil it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Centers for Disease Control \u2014 often shortened to CDC \u2014 advise that you leave the water at a rolling boil for a minute before drinking it to ensure that any pathogens have been killed off and won\u2019t enter your body when you drink it. Unclean water can lead to various issues, so sterilize it first!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Private Area Hygiene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is very important to make sure that you keep your privates clean. Many people develop ringworm in their crotch area. This type of ringworm is commonly referred to as jock itch. When you think about the crotch area it is easy to see that this is a perfect breeding ground for fungi growth. The area is very warm, often dark, covered, and fairly moist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that fungi <\/a>will often find this the perfect home. If you find yourself constantly scratching in your crotch area. You may have jock itch. This itching will be accompanied by a rash most of the time. When this occurs you may find sitting uncomfortable. Standing may even be uncomfortable at times. You need to seek treatment for this condition as it can easily spread to other areas of the body and even to other people that you come in contact with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Contagion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways to tell if you have ringworm is that it can spread quickly to others. Do both you and your partner have the same type of rash? Perhaps your kids have a rash <\/a>and you notice that you are developing it as well. If this is the case, there is a high chance that you have contracted ringworm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to types of rashes, ringworm is one of the most contagious. If the rash has spread among family members or even with close friends, you can rule out another potential cause for a rash such as allergic reactions or psoriasis. This is one of the reasons that it is important to be considerate of others if you have developed this rash. Try to keep yourself covered as much as possible and avoid any unnecessary contact. This can help prevent the rash from spreading to others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you may have contracted ringworm is if your pet has shown symptoms of having it or if your pet was diagnosed with it. Animals such as dogs and cats that we often keep as pets can be affected by ringworm<\/a>. These animals can then pass on the condition to humans. This means that ringworm is one example of what is called a zoonotic disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This simply means that it is a condition that can be spread from animals and humans alike. Cats are more often affected by ringworm than dogs are, but both of these animals can get ringworm. When an animal has ringworm it will cause circular areas that are raised up. The area will likely be balding or hair will be falling out near where the rash appears. If you do not have a pet or your pet does not have symptoms, you may have gotten it from petting a stray. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Spreading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not only can ringworm spread quickly from person to person or from animals to humans, but the condition can also quickly spread around the body. You may start out with athletes foot and then notice that you have a rash on your legs. This could turn into jock itch <\/a>and then you may start to notice that you are now losing clumps of your hair or that you now have a rash on your face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This spreading of the rash can happen quite quickly and if you are suffering from a spreading type of rash, there is a good chance that ringworm is the cause. The symptom of spreading is a good way to rule out other types of rashes such as eczema does not travel around the body, but rather stays in a specific area. if you have a spreading type of rash, chances are it is ringworm and you need to seek out treatment for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Nails<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fungal nail infection <\/a>can also be caused by the same fungi that are responsible for causing ringworm. When ringworm gets under the nails you may notice that your nails will become whitish and quite thick. Your entire nail may become discolored. In addition, the nails will often become quite soft and brittle. The skin that is located around the nails will often become quite irritated and sore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to a fungal infection of the nails it is often the bed of the nail that becomes infected and not the nail itself. This is caused by not keeping your nails clean. The fungus will cause the nail to become quite weak and brittle, even though the infection is not necessarily in the nail itself. This fungus may affect the nail beds on the hands or on the feet. If it is ringworm, it can often spread to other areas of the body as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to ringworm there are many different causes of this condition. It is possible that a person may be infected with ringworm and not know it. They may even go to their doctor for it and receive an incorrect diagnosis. Most types of ringworm will respond to oral or topical treatment <\/a>or any type of antifungal medications. Often times the side effects of taking these medications can be a bit unpleasant as you may not be able to drink alcohol and they can cause other symptoms.
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If you treat the fungus with medication and it rapidly improves, there is a high chance that you had a fungal infection like ringworm. However, if the condition does not respond to an antifungal medication it may be that you have some other type of rash or it could be eczema. No matter what you should always see your doctor quickly if you have any type of skin rash or condition.
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