On 1/7, a representative from the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases reported that the patient had experienced abdominal pain and constipation for almost a year. He attributed his symptoms to common indigestion and didn't seek medical attention. He only went to the hospital after noticing white parasitic segments in his stool.
Following tests, doctors administered an enema to prepare for a colonoscopy. The procedure revealed a live tapeworm, over 3 meters long, residing in the patient's intestines and colon, which was subsequently removed.
After reviewing the patient's history, doctors determined the likely cause of the infection was his habit of consuming raw vegetables and infrequent deworming. Post-treatment, the patient will require regular stool tests for several months to ensure complete eradication of the parasite.
Doctor Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, from the International and On-demand Healthcare Center, explained that tapeworms can live inside the body for years without causing noticeable symptoms. Common signs include mild abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, nausea, and weight loss despite normal eating habits. Many cases are only discovered when tapeworm segments are found in the stool.
Tapeworms enter the body through the digestive system when a person consumes larvae or eggs present in contaminated food. Beef tapeworms are primarily transmitted through undercooked or raw beef. Pork tapeworms can be transmitted not only through infected meat but also from person to person through fecal-oral contamination due to poor hygiene.
Once inside the body, tapeworm eggs hatch into larvae, penetrate the intestinal wall, and can migrate to organs like the brain, eyes, or muscles, leading to serious complications and even life-threatening situations. Each tapeworm segment can contain thousands of eggs. Without thorough treatment, the risk of reinfection and community spread is significantly high.
Doctors recommend maintaining good personal hygiene, washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet, consuming cooked food and boiled water, and limiting raw or undercooked meat and vegetables. Regular deworming every 6 months is also advised, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Thuy Quynh
