How Do You Recognize And Treat Cysticercosis (Pork Tapeworm Infection)?
• Know the symptoms of cysticercosis. Signs and symptoms of the infection depend on where the infection is located and the number of cysticerci in the body. • Cysticerci in the muscles: • In most cases there are no symptoms when cysticerci are located in the muscles. However you may feel bumps under the skin. • Cysticerci in the eyes: • This infection is rare. If this does occur, cysticerci float in the eye and cause blurred or disrupted vision. Infection may also cause swelling or detachment of the retina. • Cysticerci in the brain, spinal cord (neurocysticercosis): • The most common symptoms are headaches and seizures. Disorientation, lack of awareness to the environment or other people, inadequate equilibrium, and swelling of the brain (hydrocephalus) can also occur. • Be aware that symptoms can occur months to years after infection, most often when the cysts are in the final stage of dying. Know that the infection is primarily treated with anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory drugs
