Trichinella Roundworm Nematodes Parasite Causes Trichinosis Muscle Pain Symptoms

Why not eat your pork nor wild animal meat raw or undercooked? Because of a little roundworm parasite named Trichinella.  An infection by this nematode causes trichinosis.

Trichinella parasite is a unique roundworm, in that its larvae can travel to, and encase itself in, muscle tissue.  Thus, if you eat infected muscle meat, then immature trichinella can migrate to your muscles as well.

Its aftermath can be muscle pain symptoms of trichinosis causing serious health issues.  Trichinella larvae can live a very long time in your muscle fibers, and your heart nor diaphragm muscles are not immune to this nematode’s invasion.

Trichinella is spread around by eating the muscles, aka meat, of carnivores and omnivores.  The typical diet of domesticated cattle and chickens usually don’t include meat.  However, a pig’s diet may or may not.

Other meat eating animals consumed by humans that are a trichinosis health concern include:

  • rat
  • fox
  • dog
  • bear
  • horse
  • walrus
  • lion meat

Should you wish to dine on any of these meats, pork included, then cook it until you see no traces of pink.

In the event you do inadvertently consume trichinosis’ causing Trichinella parasite, the initial intestinal related symptoms of infection involve:

Not everyone infected with these roundworms have or notice any symptoms.  For those that do, your fatigue, weakness and diarrhea can potentially go on for months.

A week or so after you’ve been infected, larvae may make its way to your muscle tissue causing these symptoms:

If you’ve been infected with a considerable number of Trichinella nematodes, you may also experience:

For some their symptoms may persist for years.  And some severe cases have resulted in death, albeit rarely.

Most trichinosis infections are mild.  In fact, many assume their symptoms are those of the flu or some other common illnesses.

There is no specific treatment for trichinosis once the roundworm nematodes invade your muscles.  Pain killers or corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may help relieve your muscle aches.

Microwaving, smoking, pickling and other processing or preserving meat techniques do not kill trichinosis causing parasites.  Your healthiest way to avoid all this conceivable muscle pain is to opt for well done rather than rare.

Parasitic Health Blurbs:

« »


  • Categories