Concerned About Potential Tapeworms (21 Female)
As a 21-year-old woman, I am currently taking NP Thyroid along with various supplements such as probiotics, magnesium, vitamin D, and adaptogens. I stand at 4 feet 11 inches tall and weigh 105 pounds. There's a friendly cat that often visits my home; we've known for some time that she belongs to someone else. A week and a half ago, I decided to give her some churu treats. However, after a few days, I started noticing what appeared to be undigested pieces of the treat coming out from her rear. I thought it might not sit well with her, so I stopped offering it. Despite this, the issue persisted. Now, I'm genuinely worried that she might have tapeworms, and the thought that I could also be affected has me anxious, especially since I interact with her daily. I struggle with significant health-related anxiety, which compounds my fear.
Answers (1)
6/22/2025, 2:40:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be concerned about potential tapeworms, especially with frequent interactions with the cat. However, let’s clarify a few points and address your worries constructively.
Main Points:
- Tapeworm transmission from cats to humans is possible but uncommon.
- The symptoms you're observing are primarily linked to the cat's gastrointestinal health, not directly to you.
- Managing anxiety is a key part of dealing with health concerns.
Explanation: Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that can infect both cats and humans, but the primary route of transmission is through ingesting infected fleas or undercooked meat. While it's good to be cautious, simply giving treats to a cat does not guarantee you would be infected. The signs of tapeworm infection in cats include visible segments of the worm in their feces or on the skin around their rear end, which you’ve noted. If you see these, it's a good idea to ensure the cat receives veterinary care.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Your Cat's Health: Observe the cat for other symptoms of illness, such as weight loss, changes in appetite, or lethargy. If these symptoms appear, encourage the owner to take her to a vet for a check-up.
- Hygiene Practices: Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the cat or any of her belongings (like treats). This simple measure greatly reduces the risk of any transmission.
- Addressing Your Anxiety: Since you mention struggling with health-related anxiety, consider incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness meditation or gentle exercise. Journaling your concerns may also help clarify your thoughts and feelings.
- Stay Informed but Limit Exposure: Educate yourself on tapeworms and cat health from reliable sources, but try to avoid excessive searching or reading that increases your anxiety.
Remember, it’s perfectly okay to feel anxious about your health and well-being, but there are steps you can take to manage your concerns. If symptoms persist or your anxiety becomes overwhelming, seeking professional support can be very beneficial. You're taking an important step by being proactive about both your health and the cat's well-being.
Related Questions
Understanding My Unusual Eating Habits
Hello everyone! I’m a 24-year-old woman dealing with bipolar disorder type 2, ADHD, depression, and endometriosis. My current medication routine includes: - Lithium carbonate at 450 mg per day - Lamictal at 50 mg - Zolpidem at 5 mg for urgent situations, primarily used to prevent mania when I can’t sleep On occasion, I indulge in one THC edible (around 10-15 mg) every week or every other week, and I also consume 1-2 CBD gummies (20-30 mg) weekly to aid with sleep. It’s quite difficult for me to share this information, and I feel an overwhelming sense of shame as if I’m being reprimanded. Despite the stigma, this is something I haven’t discussed with anyone in my life. A recent story I read about stomach blockages has made me particularly anxious. For the first time in my adult life, I truly desire to make positive changes. To get to the point, I find myself consuming all sorts of materials—not food. I've developed a habit of eating paper, rubber, plastic, styrofoam, and fabric. My nail-biting has escalated to the point where I cause bleeding almost daily, and a psychotherapist informed me that I might have an oral fixation. Trust me, I’ve attempted numerous times to simply quit eating these things, but I struggle immensely. One peculiar detail about my preferences is that I’m oddly drawn to the texture of the paper used for McDonald's straw wrappers. What implications might this have for my health? If I were to bring this up with my psychiatrist, could they provide any assistance? Is there a type of therapy that could be suitable to address these behaviors? I carry a lot of guilt about this issue and recognize that continuing these habits may lead to significant health problems down the line. What steps should I take moving forward? Should I see a psychologist, or would a gastroenterologist appointment be more appropriate? I appreciate any constructive feedback or guidance you can provide. I am genuinely eager to make a change in my life!
Navigating Chronic Active Gastritis at 28
Hello, I’m a 28-year-old male, standing 179 cm tall and weighing 79 kg. In 2024, I underwent an endoscopy which led to a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). My doctor prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) along with medication for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which I gradually reduced. Unfortunately, the problems re-emerged, and by 2025, I was diagnosed with chronic active gastritis, testing negative for H. pylori. For the past three months, I've been on a regimen including the following medications: - Rabium 20 - Lesuride 25 - Dizexa - Antacid (Gaviscon or Instaraft) Although I occasionally still face symptoms, they have improved compared to earlier. My concern is how much longer I should be on these medications. Is this condition something to be overly worried about? It has certainly impacted my overall health and quality of life, and I can’t help but feel anxious about the potential long-term repercussions of these medications.
Struggles with Persistent Throat Infection – Seeking Guidance!
I’m looking for thoughts or insights from anyone who has faced a similar situation or possesses relevant knowledge. (24 m) On May 10th, I experienced a severe episode beginning with a high fever reaching 102 degrees. I was nauseated, vomiting every half hour for five hours, with an incredibly sore and swollen throat. The following day, I sought urgent medical assistance, where I was prescribed a 10-day course of Augmentin at 500mg. Tests ruled out strep A and B but revealed a positive result for Beta-hemolytic streptococci. Although my fever subsided within 12 hours of antibiotic treatment, the swelling and discomfort in my throat persisted. By the ninth day, I returned to urgent care, and the physician adjusted my prescription to a stronger dose of Augmentin at 875mg for an additional week. After finishing this new course, I was disappointed to still experience throat pain and had noticeable exudates. Consequently, I underwent another throat culture test, which identified moderate growth of two undetermined strains of “normal flora” streptococci and significant growth of Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae). Sadly, I continued to feel quite unwell, presenting symptoms reminiscent of the flu. I also had tests for EBV and mono, where mono tested negative, but I did receive a positive result for EBV antibodies without any sign of an active infection. The doctor prescribed a 10-day regimen of cefdinir, which yielded improvement within three days, as the exudates began to diminish. Nonetheless, I never felt completely healed, and my neck lymph nodes remained swollen. On the ninth day, despite not feeling fully recovered, I was granted a four-day antibiotic extension and a three-day course of prednisone. The prednisone significantly aided my recovery, allowing me to feel normal for three days. However, shortly after finishing the course, I reverted to feeling off, leading me back to urgent care for a 1000mg rocephin injection, combined with another seven days of cefdinir until my ENT appointment this Thursday. More than a month and a half has passed, and I still feel quite poorly, with a sense of incomplete recovery. A recent CT scan suggested swollen tissue and scarring near my tonsils, but assured me there were no abscesses or any alarming issues. This ordeal has disrupted the start of my summer, causing me to cancel birthday plans and struggle to maintain a regular lifestyle. I’m battling relentless fatigue, neck stiffness, throat discomfort, and mild headaches. I’m genuinely worried, having lost over 10 pounds during this time and experiencing spikes in my blood pressure due to stress. Is there anyone who can provide assistance or advice? I’d greatly appreciate it!
Am I Too Late?
24F Greetings, I'm using a temporary account for privacy. I've been caught up in a persistent worry about a possible pregnancy and I'm seeking some clarity. I had unprotected intercourse on August 13, 2024, and here we are on June 22, 2025 — over 10 months have gone by. If that encounter had led to a pregnancy, would I have already given birth by this time? I’m not looking for advice on symptoms or pregnancy tests — my main concern is understanding from a biological perspective whether it’s feasible that I could still be expecting at this point. Can I safely conclude that I am in the clear? I really appreciate any considerate feedback. This situation has been quite taxing on my mental state.
Seeking Insights on a Persistent Rash: Update and Test Results
I've revised this post to incorporate some crucial information. I am aware that Reddit isn't a platform for medical diagnosis. I've already visited urgent care and scheduled a meeting with my primary care provider in hopes of being referred to a rheumatologist, but my appointment isn’t until August. In the meantime, I find myself in a state of worry and uncertainty. The urgent care physician prescribed me Triamcinolone and advised that I see a rheumatologist as urgently as possible. However, the Triamcinolone hasn’t alleviated the itching at all. I am reaching out to see if anyone has had experiences similar to mine that led to diagnoses such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or lymphoma. What might be happening with my body? During my urgent care visit, the staff mentioned that any of these three conditions could be possibilities, but they suggested starting with a rheumatologist for my skin issues. A little about me: I am a 27-year-old female, 5'3" tall, weighing 144 lbs, not currently on any medication, and I have been smoking cigarettes and marijuana for approximately 12 years. About two months ago, I developed an intensely itchy rash located on the back of my neck. It sometimes feels like it’s burning. I haven't changed any of my soaps, products, or detergents lately. None of the lotions, cortisone creams, or allergy medications have provided relief. My history with skin issues is minimal, aside from some polymorphic light eruption that developed in recent years, but no eczema. I've noticed swelling in the lymph nodes at the back and sides of my neck, as well as behind my ears. I have previously experienced hard, swollen lymph nodes, particularly on the left side of my neck, for about five years now. The swelling in the back of my neck's lymph nodes appeared after the onset of the rash. The area is incredibly itchy, occasionally burns, and feels warm to the touch. I now have open sores in the rash area that are refusing to heal. Additionally, I feel itching on the skin covering my lymph nodes, even in areas without any rash. Before I let the internet convince me that a minor rash could indicate something severe like lymphoma, I wanted to seek opinions here. In a follow-up note, I realized I also neglected to mention that a couple of months before this neck rash surfaced, I started experiencing circular, occasionally itchy patches on my legs and stomach, along with one on my foot. These new spots seemed to have a similar pattern, not healing or disappearing over time, and they itch, though not nearly as intensely as the rash on my neck. I've also observed several of these spots on my legs, three on my stomach, and one on my foot from the initial set of images I mentioned earlier. To make things clearer, I have included an update of my most recent CBC from October 2024, which was noted as abnormal. Additionally, my Basic Metabolic Panel taken on the same date showed abnormalities, along with elevated D-dimer levels and visibly swollen lymph nodes in my neck. For the past couple of years, I've been struggling with swollen lymph nodes, feelings of malaise, fatigue, and various other health issues, losing around 100 pounds in a non-deliberate manner. I'm increasingly worried that I might be facing some type of slow-growing lymphoma. My appetite has significantly declined; when I do feel hungry, I have a very brief window to eat before the urge diminishes. Often, I can only manage one meal a day, if I’m fortunate enough to have the appetite to eat at all. It’s worth noting that I've also dealt with polymorphic light eruption each summer for the past three to four years, which only appears on my arms. I have tested negative for HIV, Lyme disease, and my ANA is normal (below 1.8). My rheumatoid factor is <10, thyroid levels are 1.20 mcIU/mL, and my sedimentation rate is 13. My comprehensive metabolic panel has indicated trace protein in my urine, which sometimes appears foamy. I had a bout of mono in my teenage years about a decade ago, accompanied by exceedingly high levels of the Epstein-Barr Virus.