How long can a person live with a tapeworm?
Adult tapeworms can live for up to 30 years in a host. Intestinal tapeworm infections are usually mild, with only one or two adult tapeworms. But invasive larval infections can cause serious complications. What happens if a tapeworm goes untreated? Untreated tapeworms can live for years, and can lead to malnutrition. Long-term complications could include headaches, blindness, and seizures. How long can tapeworms be untreated? Left untreated, adult tapeworms can live in a host body for up to 30 years.