Cysticercosis is an illness common in rabbits and snowshoe hares in Michigan. But usually it is found among pigs. Humans can also be affected with cysticercosis. They are at risk when they are infected with taenia solium, the kind of tapeworm that is the primary cause of the condition. This medical condition affects 50 million people worldwide. Mexico, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, India and East Asia are among the prevalent countries affected with it. Cysticercosis chooses no age as it affects people of all ages.
Cysticercosis happens when the tapeworm in its larva stage enters the body. Once it hatches it may develop into cysticeri. This may travel to the muscles, brain or eyes in which they will produce an infection. The contamination can be brought about by drinking or consuming infected water or food. The most severe case of cysticercosis is neurocysticercosis or NCC where cysticeri is found in the brain.
Eating of raw pork and other meats should be avoided to prevent cysticercosis. You should also be careful in choosing what pork to eat as this may be infected with the tapeworm. Washing hands should also be observed especially after using the toilet and before handling food. Raw vegetables and fruits should be washed and peeled as well to avoid the prevent cysticercosis. And most importantly, you should be conscious of the quality of water that you are drinking. It is advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water or carbonated drinks in cans and bottles. Avoid drinking these with ice cubes especially in public places.
If you are affected with cysticercosis, you may exhibit different symptoms depending on the location and number of cysticeri in your body. The symptoms can come about months after being infected, usually when the cysticeri is in the process of dying. Cysticercosis in the muscles does not usually exhibit many symptoms except for the appearance of lumps in your skin. For cysticercosis in the eye, this may cause vision impairments and can cause swelling of the retina. Neurocysticercosis, being the most severe case, may exhibit symptoms of seizures, hydrocephalus or swelling of the brain, difficulty with balance, mental disturbances, focal neurological deficits, indifference to people and the surroundings, confusions, headaches and even death.
MRI or CT brain scans are available for diagnosis. Blood tests are available but are not highly accurate in determining if you are indeed affected by the disease. If you are proven to be affected, treatment options are available to remedy cysticercosis. Anti-parasitic drugs are taken together with anti-inflammatory drugs to treat the infections. Surgery is also another option. Not all cases of cysticercosis though can be treated.
That is why it most important to prevent it while it is not yet there. To be able to avoid experiencing the symptoms and the further complications that may come with it. Being careful with what we eat and drink should come as naturally as wearing clothes everyday. It is something we owe to ourselves. Rabbits, snowshoe hares and pigs cannot do anything to avoid cysticercosis. But we surely can.
