Tapeworm

The tapeworm, also known as the solitary worm, is an intestinal parasite shaped like a ribbon that can lodge in a person's digestive system, generally after eating undercooked contaminated meat.

Common symptoms: Abdominal discomfort, changes in appetite, weight loss, or, at times, the presence of fragments of the parasite in the stool; in many cases the discomfort is mild or goes unnoticed for a while.

How it is acquired: Mainly by eating undercooked beef or pork that contains the parasite's larva, so proper cooking of food helps prevent it.

Who treats it? The gastroenterologist and its pediatric counterpart, along with the infectious disease specialist and the internist, evaluate this type of parasitic infection, while the general practitioner can provide guidance at the first contact. With persistent digestive discomfort or suspicion of parasites, it is worth seeing a professional for evaluation.