Trichinosis
Trichinosis Causes
Eating undercooked meat that contains cysts of Trichinella spiralis can cause the disease. Wild animals, both carnivores and omnivores, should be considered possible sources if roundworm disease. When roundworms are present in the body, they produce other worms that move through the gut wall and into the bloodstream.
Trichinosis Definition
Also known as trichinellosis or trichiniasis, Trichinosis is an infection due to the roundworm Trichinella spiralis.
Trichinosis Diagnosis
Tests to diagnose the disease include complete blood count (CBC), muscle biopsy, serology studies and CPK. Patients may also be found to have a history of having eaten rare or uncooked pork.
Trichinosis Symptoms and Signs
This disease involves the intestines and within 1-2 days of contagion, nausea, heartburn, dyspepsia, and diarrhea may be experienced by the affected individual. The symptoms may be severe depending on the extent of the infection. Other manifestations of the disease such as headache, fever, chills, cough, eye swelling, joint pain, muscle pain, petechiae, and itching may appear as the worms encyst in the other parts of the body.
Trichinosis Treatment
Infections in the intestine can be treated with Mebendazole or albendazole; however, there is no specific treatment for trichinosis once the larvae have penetrated the muscles. Muscle soreness may be relieved by pain killers.