Trichinosis,
trichinellosis or
trichiniasis is a
parasitic disease caused by
roundworms of the genus
Trichinella. Several subspecies cause human disease, but
T. spiralis is the most known. Infection may occur
without symptoms, while intestinal invasion can cause
diarrhea,
abdominal pain or
vomiting. Larval migration into muscle tissue (one week after being infected) can cause
edema of the face or
around the eyes,
conjunctivitis,
fever,
muscle pains,
splinter hemorrhages,
rashes, and
peripheral eosinophilia. Life-threatening cases can result in
myocarditis,
central nervous system involvement, and
pneumonitis. Larval encystment in the muscles causes pain and
weakness, followed by slow progression of symptoms.