A man was admitted to hospital with puzzling symptoms that left doctors scratching their heads—until they discovered his eating habits were causing all the trouble. The patient, who remains unnamed, loved bacon, especially prepared soft and lightly cooked, a habit that eventually landed him in intensive care.
For weeks, he suffered severe migraines and intense back pain. Medical tests revealed ‘cyst-like lesions’ in his brain, which were later identified as tapeworm larvae—specifically from Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm responsible for cysticercosis.
This condition is caused when larvae infect the body, forming cysts that can lodge in various tissues, including the brain, leading to serious neurological symptoms. The patient’s prolonged intensive care stay involved medications to kill the parasites and reduce inflammation and swelling caused by the cysts.
Doctors traced the source of the infection back to the man’s lifelong preference for eating undercooked bacon that was almost raw because he disliked crispy bacon.
Health experts recommend cooking pork products to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (62°C) to prevent infections and foodborne illnesses. Because bacon is thin, it’s easy to cook thoroughly if done carefully, but soft-cooked methods carry theoretical risks of infection.
While infected pork is rare in countries like the United States, this unusual case highlights potential public health implications. Consumers should be aware of proper cooking practices to avoid parasitic infections such as cysticercosis.
Have you ever had an unusual food-related health scare? Share your experiences and tips in the comments!
