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Q: Tapeworms

asked by: l12a on June 19th, 2009

New User

When I was young I passed tapeworm on a couple of occasions, and was too scared to tell my parents or doctor.

They were flat and white and i had to cut them as i couldnt pass them all at once.

I have read that they can live in the body unknown for years and cause serious problems if they get into major organs.

I have been fine for at least 12 years but am now worried that they may be in there... should I be concerned?

Replies(1)

Dr. Robert Wascher , MD

replied on June 20th, 2009

It is impossible to know if you are still infected with tapeworms if you have no symptoms. You should probably seek a referral with a GI doctor. If that evaluation reveals ongoing tapeworm infestation, then you can start treatment for this parasitic infection.

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

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