Cysticercosis easy to get? testing for this?!


Question: Cysticercosis easy to get.? testing for this.?
I travel internationally A LOT, and read something that freaked me out about neurocysticercosis. I usually eat where the locals do in the foreign countries, because they usually know the best food. I know the health regulations aren't as strict as they are in the U.S.
I'm paranoid I might have picked something like that and not even know about it. I don't have any kind of worms in my stool or anything like that, but this seems like a silent killer. I read they use M.R.I. to detect cyst, but I don't want to get that unless it's necessary due to cost. I read it is a major cause for epilepsy in Latin America. I get a physical with a complete blood count every year, that should show if I had any parasite right.? I know I'm probably worrying for no reason, but I probably have been exposed to a lot of stuff in my global travels over the years, and really never paid it any mind til someone showed me an article.
Please no copying and pasting from CDC. I would prefer to hear a Dr.s opinion, someone in the medical field, or someone who actually has or had cysticercosis.Health Question & Answer


Answers:
The tapeworm Taenia solium is acquired through eating undercooked pork, however human cystercercosis is a fecal-oral infection acquired by ingesting eggs excreted in the feces of a human tapeworn carrier. You could also get it if you have the adult tapeworm through fecal-oral auto-infection. The disease remains common in Central and South America. You are correct, it is a major cause of epilepsy in endemic areas. After ingestion of the egg theperiod of time till the larva settles and becomes a cysticerci in ~ 2 months. However symptoms may not appear for 10 or more years after infection. Though the cysticerci can appear most anywhere, most pathology is related to the central nervous system.
The physical and CBC is probably of little use. An annual physical does not usually include a stool parasite exam. If you indeed have an adult worm(s), you may see a slight increase in eosinophils in the blood smear, but not much else. A physician will probably not order a CT or MRI without you showing specific symptoms and most general or family practice docs probably know little of the disease. An ID doc would be your best bet.
I too have done a lot of world traveling and think you may be overreacting. Just use common sense and hygiene- don't eat undercooked pork and always wash your hands and keep them outta your mouth.Health Question & Answer

If you feel fine dont worry if you complain of something then cystosercosis cause severe headache .vomiting and neurological changes such as epilepsy .paralysisHealth Question & Answer



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