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Trichinosis, Pediatric

Carolyn A. Paris, MD, MPH and George A. (Tony) Woodward, MD, MBA Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Infection caused by ingestion of undercooked meat containing nematode (roundworm) larval cysts of the Trichinella genus

  • Clinical disease in humans characterized by an intestinal phase...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Ingestion of inadequately cooked meat (commercial and noncommercial pork, game animals, foreign meat)

  • Others with similar symptoms and same dietary exposure

  • Signs and symptoms

    • Clinical s...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Most patients recover without specific therapy.

  • Symptomatic treatment: acetaminophen or NSAIDs, bed rest

MEDICATION

First Line

  • Systemic corticosteroids for severe symptoms (not r...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Expect improvement over several weeks.

  • At 3 to 4 weeks, retreatment may be indicated if symptoms persist or there are ova in the feces.

Patient Monitoring

Cardiopulm...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Trichinellosis. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al, eds. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. Elk Grov...

CODES

ICD9

  • 124 Trichinosis

  • 728.0 Infective myositis

ICD10

  • B75 Trichinellosis

  • M63.80 Disorders of muscle in diseases classd elswhr, unsp site

SNOMED

  • 88264003 Infection by larvae of Trichinella spiralis (disor...

FAQ

  • Q: Is trichinosis contagious from person to person?

  • A: No, except through infected breast milk.

  • Q: Do special precautions need to be taken when treating a patient with presumed trichinosis?

  • A: Only t...

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