Breaking: Worms Can Invade Your Brain From Eating This Common Food
If you don't want worms to invade your brain, don't eat this. If they get into your body, the worms will eventually find their way to your major organs, including the brain. These worms are a dangerous parasite that can have fatal consequences.
The culprit is pork tapeworms. Of all the tapeworm types, only 3 can infect the brain. According to experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the pork tapeworm is the main culprit for infecting the brain.
How Does Infection Happen?
There are two forms of infection with the pork tapeworm to which humans can be affected.
The first form of infection is by consuming undercooked pork from pigs that were infected by the tapeworm. This results in taeniasis, when an adult worm resides in the intestine.
The second form of infection that can occur is the larvae form. It can be contracted by direct contact with animal feces. This type of infection is called neurocysticercosis, a condition when the larval worm infects the nervous system and the brain. This kind of infection is very dangerous, as it can cause epilepsy.
The WHO claims that a third of all epilepsy cases in areas where the infections are native are caused by neurocysticercosis.
How To Protect Yourself
The good news is that protecting yourself is relatively simple:
- Always cook pork thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw pork
- Avoid eating undercooked or raw pork products
- When traveling to high-risk areas, be cautious about food sources
- Practice good hygiene and sanitation
The infection is more common in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, but global food trade and international travel means the risk exists worldwide. Strict food inspections and proper cooking remain the best defense.
Stay safe – always cook your pork thoroughly and practice good hygiene. Share this important health information with your friends and family.
The culprit is pork tapeworms. Of all the tapeworm types, only 3 can infect the brain. According to experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the pork tapeworm is the main culprit for infecting the brain.
How Does Infection Happen?
There are two forms of infection with the pork tapeworm to which humans can be affected.
The first form of infection is by consuming undercooked pork from pigs that were infected by the tapeworm. This results in taeniasis, when an adult worm resides in the intestine.
The second form of infection that can occur is the larvae form. It can be contracted by direct contact with animal feces. This type of infection is called neurocysticercosis, a condition when the larval worm infects the nervous system and the brain. This kind of infection is very dangerous, as it can cause epilepsy.
The WHO claims that a third of all epilepsy cases in areas where the infections are native are caused by neurocysticercosis.
How To Protect Yourself
The good news is that protecting yourself is relatively simple:
- Always cook pork thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145°F
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw pork
- Avoid eating undercooked or raw pork products
- When traveling to high-risk areas, be cautious about food sources
- Practice good hygiene and sanitation
The infection is more common in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, but global food trade and international travel means the risk exists worldwide. Strict food inspections and proper cooking remain the best defense.
Stay safe – always cook your pork thoroughly and practice good hygiene. Share this important health information with your friends and family.