According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1,000 people are hospitalized every year for larval cysts in the brain. The condition is called neurocysticercosis, and you can get it if you eat undercooked pork that’s infected with a tapeworm. The tapeworm could produce eggs in the digestive system, but these eggs are pooped out. If someone with a tapeworm doesn’t practice good handwashing, these eggs could be passed to others through their food. These eggs then hatch in the body, and the larvae can reach the brain.
Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of preventable epilepsy across the world, as stated by the World Health Organization. It’s often found in places like Mexico, Central America, and India. When the tapeworm larvae infect the brain, the inflammation can cause seizures and put pressure on the brain. People can also experience headaches or vomiting (per UCLA Health).