Get Rid of Tapeworms in Humans

Most people associate tapeworms with a parasite that habitually infects dogs, cats and other animals. Tapeworms, though, can also very easily affect human beings, too. While tapeworms infecting pets are not wholly uncommon, it is much more rare for humans to contract these nasty worms. Through a few simple steps of prevention, and then following the proper method to rid yourself of tapeworms, you should be in the clear.

Steps

 * 1) Detect if you have been infected by tapeworms. If you have followed all the previous steps but still believe you may be infected, it may be time for action. It will be easy to tell if you have a swarm of tapeworms in your intestine, but when you have just one it may be harder to detect. Simple diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and pain, and weakness are the most prevalent symptoms, but can all disguise themselves as a normal stomach flu. If you have consumed any raw meat in the past month or your pet has fleas and these symptoms become chronic, you should seek medical attention.
 * 2) Take a prescription-strength tapeworm medication as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Tapeworm medications aren't always completely successful in killing off tapeworms, but most work relatively well.
 * 3) Prevent tapeworms from invading your further invading your body by not eating raw meat. There are different species of tapeworms that infect pork, beef and fish (chicken tapeworms are much rarer and almost unheard of). If you don't eat raw meat, it's much harder to contract a tapeworm.
 * 4) Rid your pets of fleas. Fleas are the easiest way for humans to contract tapeworms. They are the perfect host for worm parasites and are the easiest and most common way for humans to contract a tapeworm. A flea will eat the tapeworm embryo and then pass them off to your pet when they clean themselves off from fleas by licking and ingesting the flea. If your pets don't have fleas and you don't eat any raw meat, contracting a parasitical worm is just about impossible. Use an over-the-counter flea remedy for pets. Talk to your veterinarian for their suggestion or if the treatment you have been using does not fully remove all the fleas.
 * 5) Clean your house of fleas. Now that your pet is flea-free, flea-proof your entire residence. Vacuum the entirety of your house or apartment. Do it twice if you have to. Dust all your windows and ledges and then clean your furniture first. This will knock all the loose mites and dirt onto the floor, where it can be promptly and easily swept away by your vacuum cleaner.
 * 6) Watch your stool for tapeworms. Monitor your stool and continue to repeat the above steps until your stool is free of tapeworms.

Tips

 * Prevention is always easier than treatment, so avoid fleas and raw meat if you never want to worry about parasitic tapeworms.

Sources and Citations

 * http://www.parasitecleanse.com/fishtapeworms.htm
 * http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-tapeworms.htm