- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- Life cycle of trichinosis
- How to prevent trichinosis
Trichinosis is a parasitic infection caused by the parasite Trichinella spiralis , which can be present in raw or undercooked meat from pigs or wild animals, such as wild boar, for example.
Thus, if the person consumes raw or undercooked meat from contaminated animals, he can be infected by the larva of this parasite that can go to various parts of the body and cause different symptoms, such as muscle pain, diarrhea or excessive tiredness, for example.
Trichinosis is curable when its treatment is done correctly. The treatment of trichinosis should be guided by a general practitioner, after observing the symptoms, but it usually involves the use of antiparasitic drugs such as Albendazole, for example.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of trichinosis vary according to the parasitic load, however the first symptoms appear about 2 days after eating raw or undercooked meat and are related to the digestive system, with abdominal pain, diarrhea, hemorrhages and vomiting, for example. example.
About 1 week after infection, especially if there is no treatment, the larvae can reach the bloodstream and reach other symptoms, such as:
- Muscle pain; Persistent fever; Pain in the eyes and sensitivity to light; Swelling of the face, especially around the eyes; Excessive tiredness; Headache; Redness and itching of the skin.
These symptoms can last up to 8 weeks and, therefore, if they are relatively mild they can be considered flu, eventually disappearing without needing treatment.
However, the ideal is that whenever there is a suspicion of trichinosis, go to the hospital to assess the symptoms and confirm the diagnosis, initiating the most appropriate treatment.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of trichinosis is made by the infectologist or general practitioner through the assessment of the symptoms presented and the person's history, including eating habits.
In case of suspicion, laboratory tests are necessary to identify the larvae and confirm the diagnosis. Thus, a complete blood count is usually requested, in which eosinophilia is identified, and muscle biopsy followed by microscopic examination to identify the larvae in the muscles. Understand how the biopsy is done.
Immunological tests can also be performed to detect antibodies against the disease.
How the treatment is done
In most cases, treatment to relieve symptoms, and the use of analgesic remedies, such as Paracetamol or Dipyrone, for example, and corticosteroids, such as Dexamethasone or Hydrocortisone, may be recommended to relieve pain or discomfort.
The general practitioner or infectious disease specialist usually recommends the use of anti-parasitic drugs, such as Mebendazole and Albendazole, for example. In more severe cases, the use of Tiabendazole may also be recommended.
During treatment, the patient should rest, drink about 2 liters of water a day and avoid making efforts.
Life cycle of trichinosis
The life cycle of Trichinella spiralis can be represented as follows:
The cycle usually begins when the person eats undercooked or raw pork or wild animals contaminated by the parasite. After ingesting the meat, the larvae found inside the meat are released into people's intestines, develop until they become adult worms and undergo differentiation into male and female.
Then there is the release of larvae that enter the circulation and reach other muscles and tissues, where they lodge and cause symptoms.
It is believed that the life cycle of trichinosis is maintained due to cannibalism that can happen between some mammal species and their food chain, in which infected rodents are eaten by other animals, for example.
How to prevent trichinosis
The prevention of trichinosis involves the consumption of well-cooked pork meat and its derivatives, since the transmission of trichinosis occurs due to the presence of the larva in raw or undercooked meat.
In addition, one way to avoid contamination is to freeze the meat for about 24 hours, as it is possible to inactivate the larvae and prevent them from causing infection.
