I never thought I needed to know “brain worm warning signs,” but here we are.
Over the past month, “brain worm” anxiety has skyrocketed.
“The most common being from the pork tapeworm, Taenia Solium (orneurocysticercosis),” Grunch explained.
So, how would a person be exposed and potentially get brain worms to begin with?
Grunch said that brain worms most commonly come from a cycle of pig-to-human transmission.
After the intestinal parasite is in that person’s body, it can lay eggs.
That person will then pass the eggs in their stool.
While an intestinal tapeworm alone cannot travel to the brain, its larvae can.
“You would experience GI symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss specifically.
When those do show up in the brain, symptoms include nausea, seizures, and headache.”
If you suspect you may have a parasitic infection, always consult your doctor right away.
“Specific antibodies or antigens in the bloodstream can be checked to see if you have an infection.
Sometimes we can obtain CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) via spinal tap to check for brain worms.”
Grunch said both kids and adults are susceptible to neurocysticercosis.
“Parasitic infection is a common condition.
Now go forth and like wash your hands!
