At a glance
- Signs and symptoms can be caused by cysts in the muscles, eyes, or brain and spinal cord.
- Symptoms may occur months or years after infection.
- If you think you have cysticercosis, see your healthcare provider.
Symptoms
Cysts, called cysticerci, can develop in the muscles, eyes, brain, and/or spinal cord. Symptoms caused by cysts depend on the location, size, and the number of cysts in your body.
Muscles
Cysts in the muscles generally do not cause symptoms. However, you may be able to feel lumps under your skin. The lumps sometimes become tender.
Eyes
Although rare, cysts may float in the eye and cause blurry or disturbed vision. Infection in the eyes may cause swelling or detachment of the retina.
Brain and spinal cord
Symptoms of neurocysticercosis depend upon where and how many cysts are in the brain. The disease can be deadly. Seizures and headaches are the most common symptoms. However, the following may also occur
- Confusion
- Lack of attention to people and surroundings
- Difficulty with balance
- Extra fluid around the brain (called hydrocephalus)
Symptoms can occur months to years after infection, usually when the cysts start dying. When cysts die, the brain or other tissue around the cyst may swell. The pressure of the swelling is what usually causes the symptoms of the infection. Sometimes symptoms are caused by the pressure of cysts in a small space.
If you think you have cysticercosis, see your healthcare provider.