An infestation with the larvae of the worm, usually acquired by eating undercooked pork. Trichinosis is rare in the UK. Thorough cooking of all pork products, and freezing meat to a temperature below –18°C for 24 hours, helps to avoid infection. Slight infestation usually causes no symptoms. However, heavy infestation may cause diarrhoea and vomiting within a day or two of eating the infected meat, followed by fever, swelling around the eyelids, and severe muscle pains, which may last for several weeks. Trichinosis may be suspected from the symptoms, and the diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests, or by a muscle biopsy. Treatment of the infestation is with an anthelmintic drug.
Trichinosis |
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