People often recoil at the term parasite. An image of an alien parasite would probably be the first thing to come to mind thanks to those science fiction movies. Some may even believe that parasitic infections do not happen that often. That is not entirely true. Humans are highly susceptible to hosting parasites within our bodies. One example of this is the tapeworm.



Tapeworms are disgusting and freakish looking when seen up close through a microscope. Despite their unappealing looks, these flatworms have some fascinating information associated with them. Information that is important to know to have a better understanding of how people can get infected and what to do in case one becomes sick.



These parasitic worms are often found in their host’s intestines where they attach themselves to soak up nutrients, therefore, depriving the host of those same nutrients. People infected with intestinal tapeworm don’t exhibit any symptoms. But if a person starts to notice certain stuff like loss of appetite, nutrient deficiencies, and abdominal pain, it would be best to consult with a healthcare provider to have stool checked for any possible parasitic infection.



A parasitic infection would be an unfortunate circumstance, so it is definitely good to know more about the tapeworm. What other facts do you know about these scary-looking parasites? Try this quiz to check on that.