An frightening X-ray that displays the image of a person that has been infested with tapeworms has been brought to the attention of users of social media.
He described it as one of the “most insane X-rays I’ve ever seen.” Sam Ghali, a professor at the University of Florida, was the one who uploaded the image to X.
It is possible that the parasites have established a home within the body of the individual as a consequence of an unfortunate mistake that they encountered while cooking.
Those who consume raw or undercooked pork that has been contaminated with tapeworms are at risk of contracting the infection known as cysticercosis. Transmission is another method of transmission.
Cysticercosis: what exactly is it?
The disease caused by the parasite is described as being “caused by the larvae (immature worm) of the tapeworm, Taenia solium,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It is possible to contract cysticercosis by ingesting the eggs of the tapeworm. According to their explanation, these eggs will eventually hatch and mature into larvae.
Thereafter, the larvae travel to tissues such as muscle, eyes, or the brain after penetrating (moving through) the intestinal wall of a human. “This is the location where cysts, also known as cysticerci, develop.”
The guy may have contracted cysticercosis by consuming pork that was either raw or undercooked, as stated by Ghali in the video.
By itself, however, “cysticercosis does not spread from eating raw or undercooked pork,” as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The pork must first be contaminated with cysticerci.
They went on to say that the only method for people to become infected with the virus is by consuming food or water that has been contaminated with tapeworm eggs through consumption.
In his statement, Ghali added that these cysts have the potential to spread to any part of the body, particularly to the muscular and soft tissue of the hips and the legs.
In the event that they are only located in the pelvis, they do not constitute a life-threatening issue.
“If they make their way to the brain and make themselves at home there, that is the problem.”
What you can do to prevent cysticercosis
If you consume pork that has been infected with cysticerci and it is slightly overcooked, you sadly have very little options available to you.
Here’s a video I made breaking down one of the most insane X-Rays I’ve ever seen#FOAMed pic.twitter.com/wp8xtGFTV5
— Sam Ghali, M.D. (@EM_RESUS) January 16, 2025
If you maintain your kitchen as clean as possible, you can stop it from spreading to other areas of the house.
“Inadequate cleanliness or sanitation can spread tapeworm eggs to others through contaminated food or water,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states of the situation.
There is a correlation between living with someone who has a tapeworm and an increased likelihood of having cysticercosis.
“People who have tapeworms have the potential to infect themselves with eggs, which can result in cysticercosis, also known as autoinfection.”
It is unfortunate that “unimproved sanitation facilities,” which are defined as an environment “where there is no separation of human waste from human contact,” continue to place people in developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America in a more precarious position.