TREATMENTS &
RESEARCH

Search the
latest
treatment
information
here.

Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.

Next Prev

Diseases » Trichinosis » Summary

What is Trichinosis?

Contents

Trichinosis: Introduction
Types of Trichinosis
Prognosis
Complications
Prevalence
Other names for Trichinosis
Who gets Trichinosis?
What causes Trichinosis?
What are the symptoms of Trichinosis?
Can anyone else get Trichinosis?
How is it treated?
Trichinosis: Introduction

What is Trichinosis?

Trichinosis: Worm infection usually caught from pigs.
Trichinosis: A parasite of carnivorous mammals that causes TRICHINOSIS. It is especially common in rats and in swine fed uncooked garbage. Human infection is initiated by the consumption of raw or insufficiently cooked pork or other meat containing the encysted larvae.
Source - Diseases Database
Trichinosis: infestation by trichina larvae that are transmitted by eating inadequately cooked meat (especially pork); larvae migrate from the intestinal tract to the muscles where they become encysted.
Source - WordNet 2.1

Trichinosis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Trichinosis, or a subtype of Trichinosis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Trichinosis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

Trichinosis: Introduction

Types of Trichinosis:

Broader types of Trichinosis:

How many people get Trichinosis?

Incidence (annual) of Trichinosis: 12 annual cases notified in USA 1999 (MMWR 1999)
Incidence Rate of Trichinosis: approx 1 in 22,666,667 or 0.00% or 11 people in USA [about data]
Prevalance of Trichinosis: Infection was once very common; however, infection is now relatively rare. From 1991-1996, an annual average of 38 cases per year were reported. (Source: excerpt from Trichinosis: DPD)

Who gets Trichinosis?

Geography Profile for Trichinosis: Infection occurs worldwide, but is most common in areas where raw or undercooked pork, such as ham or sausage, is eaten. (Source: excerpt from Trichinosis: DPD)

How serious is Trichinosis?

Complications of Trichinosis: see complications of Trichinosis

What causes Trichinosis?

Causes of Trichinosis: see causes of Trichinosis
Causes of Trichinosis: Cases are less commonly associated with pork products and more often associated with eating raw or undercooked wild game meats. (Source: excerpt from Trichinosis: DPD)
Risk factors for Trichinosis: see risk factors for Trichinosis

What are the symptoms of Trichinosis?

Symptoms of Trichinosis: see symptoms of Trichinosis

Complications of Trichinosis: see complications of Trichinosis

Incubation period for Trichinosis: Abdominal symptoms can occur 1-2 days after infection. Further symptoms usually start 2-8 weeks after eating contaminated meat. (Source: excerpt from Trichinosis: DPD)

Duration of Trichinosis: about 3 months without treatment; shorter with treatment.

Duration of Trichinosis: For mild to moderate infections, most symptoms subside within a few months. Fatigue, weakness, and diarrhea may last for months. (Source: excerpt from Trichinosis: DPD)