Disease trichinosis, the symptoms of which are associated with muscle damage, is very dangerous for human health and life. The causative agents of the disease are Helminthes Trichinella, Parasites in the body of humans and some mammals.
Development of the disease
Infection with trichinosis occurs with the use of raw or insufficiently thermally processed meat, in which are pathogenic larvae. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in the winter-autumn period. Larvae of helminths die only under the influence of high temperature, not lower than 80 degrees. Once in the stomach of a person, they are able to penetrate into the intestinal mucosa after an hour and turn into a mature individual. After 4-7 days, the females begin to lay living larvae. From the intestine Trichinella with blood flow migrate to the motor muscles (oculomotor, intercostal, chewing, muscles of the tongue, diaphragm, legs, arms). After a while they acquire a spiral shape and are covered with a capsule of lime. In this state, they can live in the human body for several years.
Trichinosis. Symptoms
The first signs can appear only a week after infection. The disease begins with symptoms of general malaise: headache, swelling of the face or upper body, weakness. After three days there are muscle pains, usually first in the lower limbs, after which they spread to the entire body. Red painful eyes, itchy skin rashes, fever - all these are signs of a disease such as trichinosis. Symptoms on the fifth day (at the height of the disease) are associated with inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. There is diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling. People complain of a sleep disorder, they are disturbed by hallucinations. And neurologic symptoms are quite asymmetrical, without any prerequisites there are sharp changes in mental state. In severe cases, intoxication manifestations and muscle pain can be accompanied by coughing, shortness of breath, stiff neck. Trichinosis, the symptoms of which are observed for more than a month, can be complicated by pneumonia, myocarditis, renal insufficiency, thrombosis, limb paresis, hearing and vision impairment.
Detection of the disease
Diagnosis of trichinosis is carried out on the basis of anamnesis of the patient. It is found out whether a person used to eat raw or poorly processed pork, bacon, wild meat, canned food or homemade sausages for 1-6 weeks before the onset of illness. You can also detect the disease by using a laboratory test. Trichinelloscopy or digestion in gastric juice (artificial) in meat reveals larvae of parasites. If this is not possible, the serological reactions (RIGA, DSC, ELISA) are studied. By the end of the second week after infection, they become positive. You can identify helminths by using a blood test to determine the level of eosinophils. Another method is fluoroscopy. It can detect foci of inflammation in the lungs. An electrocardiogram is used to determine the severity of damage to the heart muscle by parasites.