Tapeworm infection - beef or pork: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency care for:
A first seizure or repeated seizures
Loss of consciousness
Sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, or one-sided weakness
A severe headache with reduced alertness
Severe abdominal pain with swelling, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas
These symptoms can have several causes.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop a new persistent headache, repeated vomiting, vision changes, unusual balance problems, or new numbness or weakness.
They need prompt assessment rather than being assumed to come from a tapeworm.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical appointment if:
You notice a flat, pale segment or worm-like material in your stool
You have ongoing digestive symptoms after eating raw or undercooked beef or pork
You have unexplained weight loss
Someone in your household has been diagnosed with pork tapeworm
Symptoms or segments continue after treatment
You are due for follow-up stool testing
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Tapeworm infection - beef or pork. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.