Trichinosis
General information about the disease
Trichinosis is a focal natural disease that is caused by trichinella and is accompanied by fever, allergic reactions, and damage to vital systems and organs. Trichinosis occurs on all continents. The largest number of cases is recorded in those countries where the population eats pork, bear and badger meat. In general, Trichinella parasitizes more than 70 species of mammals, so many other animals can also be infected.
What happens when pathogens enter the body?
Once in the host's body, the larvae first of all migrate towards the skeletal muscles. There they penetrate into the muscle fibers and continue to develop until they reach the stage of the invasive larva. In this state, they are surrounded by a special capsule, inside of which ideal conditions are created for the vital activity of parasites. In addition, with the help of a kind of protective suit, the causative agents of trichinosis can easily withstand the effects of acidic and alkaline environments. This is a very important point, because the sexually mature generation of Trichinella develops precisely in the stomach and intestines of the host. In most cases, trichinosis, the treatment of which a person may need at almost any age, manifests itself after eating insufficiently cooked or roasted pork and lard. Familial outbreaks of trichinosis are often detected,since all family members can eat contaminated food at the same time.
Trichinosis symptoms
Trichinosis symptoms appear in 10-20 days. Depending on a number of factors, this period can be reduced or, conversely, increased. In this case, a rule well known to doctors applies: the more severe the form of the disease, the faster the symptoms of trichinosis appear. In a particularly malignant course, the first symptoms of trichinosis are observed within 2-3 days after consuming low-quality products, but it should be noted that in recent years asymptomatic trichinosis has been increasingly detected in people, the diagnosis of which is a rather difficult task. This is due to the fact that, firstly, the incubation period increases to 4-5 weeks, and secondly, the disease manifests itself only as mild malaise and minor muscle pains. Accordingly, at first, doctors are trying to treat patients for anything, but not for trichinosis.
With a mild course, trichinosis manifests itself as a sharp increase in body temperature, weakness, and headaches. A few hours after the first symptoms of trichinosis appear, the temperature drops to 37-37.5 degrees and stays at this level for about a week. In addition to a slight fever, patients may feel pain in the calf and lumbar muscles.
The moderate to severe form of the disease also begins with a rise in temperature and fever, but then patients develop other symptoms of trichinosis:
- puffiness of the face;
- lacrimation;
- conjunctivitis;
- photophobia;
- allergic reactions.
In about 30% of cases, patients with trichinosis have pathologies from the broncho-pulmonary system: pharyngitis, pneumonia, pleurisy. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact place where trichinosis develops - the symptoms either disappear or appear in completely different organs, since the infiltrates detected during X-ray examination often change their location.
In some cases, trichinosis of moderate severity is accompanied by lesions of the cardiovascular system. Patients are recorded: an increase in the number of heart contractions, metabolic disorders in the heart muscle, deafness of heart sounds, shortness of breath. In children, damage to the immune system, enlargement of the lymph nodes and spleen can join the above pathologies.
Of particular danger is severe trichinosis, the treatment of which begins with the relief of acute symptoms. Patients experience very severe muscle pain. Often they are so intense that a person cannot perform the simplest movements. In addition, high fever also causes significant inconvenience to patients. It reaches 40-41 degrees and lasts for a week. Very quickly, patients develop edema on the trunk and extremities, which spreads to the internal organs and the central nervous system, leading to disruptions in the work of vital centers. In severe cases, trichinosis also causes numerous, pronounced allergic reactions. The rash can occur in all areas of the body and tends to combine individual foci into larger formations.
Of the other characteristic symptoms of severe trichinosis, we would like to note:
- stomach ache;
- stool disorders (diarrhea mixed with blood);
- nausea, vomiting;
- enlargement of the liver and spleen;
- sleep disorders;
- convulsions, delirium;
- epileptic seizures
Many of the above lesions can eventually lead to the death of a person. For this reason, for any suspicion of trichinosis, treatment should begin immediately after the correct diagnosis is made. Of course, self-medication with the help of folk recipes in this case is unacceptable. The most common causes of death are acute allergic reactions of the myocardium and severe pneumonia, accompanied by bronchitis.
Diagnostics of the trichinosis
If there is sufficient reason to suspect trichinosis (symptoms that appear after eating pork and other characteristic signs of the disease), then laboratory tests are necessary. First of all, a feces analysis is taken from patients, in which Trichinella larvae and adults can be found; a special, but the most reliable diagnosis of trichinosis is considered to be a muscle tissue biopsy and skin allergy tests.
Trichinosis treatment
During the treatment of trichinosis, specialists use mintezol, albendazole, vermox and antihistamines. With myocarditis and pneumonitis, patients are prescribed corticosteroids. The course of treatment for trichinosis lasts until the full restoration of motor ability and normalization of the functions of internal organs. Muscle pain can persist for the next 3-6 months, so outdoor walks and exercise are recommended.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
