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ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Diphyllobothriasis

Alternative Names:

Fish tapeworm infection

Symptoms:

The vast majority of infected individuals have no symptoms. Symptoms seen with heavy infections may include:

vague abdominal discomfort
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
loss of appetite and weight loss
abdominal pain due to intestinal blockage by worms
individuals with vitamin B-12 deficiency may suffer:
- fatigue due to anemia
- numbness and tingling in their limbs
- confusion or dementia

Signs and tests:

infected individuals sometimes pass visible segments of worm (proglottids) in stool
stool smear for tapeworm eggs
CBC may reveal anemia with large red blood cells (macrocytic anemia)