One of the most frequent manifestations is epileptiform seizure, sometimes referred to as verminous epilepsy. The fish tapeworm is the largest of the human tapeworms. A fully developed worm may reach the length of 33 feet or more. There can be 3,000 to 4,000 segments in one worm. The adult fish tapeworm may live in man for 20 years or more.
Humans acquire the fish tapeworm by eating raw or uncooked fish which contain the larva.
According to Dr. Brooks, the fish tapeworms usually produce no visible symptoms. But many times the worm will be so large, that it will cause a colon blockage. Anemia is not uncommon, owing to interference with vitamin B-12. The dwarf tapeworm is also found in man. According to Geoffrey Lapage, the dwarf tapeworm is the most common tapeworm in the southern United States.