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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Often no signs or symptoms
Most people who are infected with tapeworm don't show symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of intestinal infection
Most likely, you won't have any signs or symptoms with an intestinal infection. It's possible you might notice segments of the adult tapeworm (proglottids) in your stool. Other possible signs and symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food
Signs and symptoms of invasive infection
If tapeworm larvae have moved out of your intestines and formed cysts in other tissues, it can cause organ and tissue damage, resulting in:
- Fever
- Cystic masses or lumps
- Allergic reactions to the larvae
- Bacterial infections
- Neurological symptoms or seizures if the brain is involved
