How long can a tapeworm survive please doctors? and where could they be picked up from?

For years.: Tape worm is general non-specific description. Precise description will throw more light. Two common types depending on geography are taenia solium & t. Saginata. They survive for years. The adult segmented tapeworms attach to the small intestine by their scolex and reside in the small intestine shedding the segments (proglottids) loaded with eggs.