It's not just about an upset tummy, but consuming undercooked pork may have life-threatening implications. A CT scan that became viral on social media recently shows the presence of tapeworms that could lead to cysticercosis infection. Dr Sam Ghali, an emergency physician, shared the shocking CT scan of a parasitic infection in a patient’s leg on his X account. Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by larval cysts of Taenia Solium, also known as pork tapeworm. This tapeworm found in undercooked pork breaks the gastrointestinal tract and enters the bloodstream, then spreads into the muscles. These parasites can even infect the brain by causing swelling. From the outside, these are spotted as small cysts under the skin.
If these cysts affect the brain, then it may lead to a condition called neurocysticercosis. Headache, confusion, seizures and other serious nervous disorders are symptoms of this tapeworm infection. In some cases, it could even lead to death. Dr. Sam Ghali, in his X post, wrote that at least 50,000 people lose their lives due to cysticercosis, which affects more than 5 million people every year. Anti-parasitic therapy, steroids, antiepileptics and surgery are some of the treatments for this disease. Meanwhile, Dr Ghali urges his followers and patients to only eat cleaned and well-cooked pork.
