Medication is effective. Infection occurs when poorly cooked meats are ingested. The most common type of tapeworm in the United States is thought to be transmitted through contact with human feces. Tapeworms can cause obstruction to the intestine, but usually cause few symptoms apart from non specific abdominal pains and occasional diarrhea. The fish tapeworm can cause vitamin B 12 deficiency.
Diagnosis is made by stool examination, and effective medication is available.
Pin worm is frequently seen in young children. The most common symptom is itching in the anal area, though many infected individuals are asymptomatic. The diagnosis is made by finding the eggs or the actual worms around the peri-anal area by placing a transparent sticky tape to the anal area early in the morning. The sticky tape is then examined under a microscope slide. Specific therapy is available and effective, but other members of the household may need to be tested and treated to prevent reinfection.