Diphyllobothriasis

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Diphyllobothriasis

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

• 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)

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