In 2016, Tingting (a pseudonym) from Yubeng Village in Deqin County, China, began experiencing intense headaches, as well as pain in her thighs and eyes.
To get to the bottom of her symptoms, doctors advised her to undergo MRI and CT scans. The results were nothing short of horrifying.
The parasites had invaded various parts of her body, including her back muscles, abdomen, eyes, and, most alarmingly, her brain.
It later became clear that she had been eating raw pork for about 10 years, which led to the infection.
What are the symptoms of parasites in the body?
Professor Meng Qiang, the chief physician at the Department of Neurology at the Provincial First Hospital, described the severe impact the parasites had on Tingting’s body.
“The patient had bulging eyes, retinal hemorrhage, multiple infections throughout the body, and epileptic seizures,” he said.
The parasitic worms tend to have the greatest impact on the brain, affecting the central nervous system.
According to Meng, this can lead to epilepsy, intellectual impairment, limb paralysis, sensory issues, and even language dysfunction in some patients.
What causes parasites in the body?
While the idea of having worms in the brain might sound absurd, it’s actually more common than you’d think.
These parasites typically enter the body through pork tapeworm eggs, the most common type.
In most cases, the infection occurs when someone consumes food contaminated with these eggs.
Dr. David Hamer, a professor of global health at Boston University’s School of Public Health, explained that once the eggs are ingested, they “sort of migrate through the body, ending up in muscles or in the brain.”
‘Some people’s brains almost look like Swiss cheese’
The body’s immune system reacts by forming cysts around the parasites.
“It can form multiple cysts,” Dr. Hamer continued. “Some people’s brains almost look like Swiss cheese with lots of holes. There can be a fair amount of inflammation.”
At that point, there’s typically no need for treatment, although inflammation can still cause issues, such as seizures.
How can you prevent parasites entering the body?
Fortunately, there are several simple ways to avoid infections like cysticercosis.
The CDC advises washing hands regularly, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and always before handling food.
If traveling in areas where tap water might not be safe, it’s recommended to drink bottled water or boil the water for at least one minute before consuming it.
