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"Trichinosis is a type of roundworm infection. Roundworms are parasites that use your body as a host to stay alive and reproduce. Trichinosis occurs primarily among meat-eating animals (carnivores), especially bears, foxes and walruses. The infection is acquired by eating viable larvae in animal flesh. Pigs that feed on garbage containing uncooked meat acquire trichinosis in the same way.
When humans ingest undercooked meat containing trichinella larvae, the larvae mature into adult worms in the intestine over several weeks. The adults then produce larvae that migrate through various tissues, including muscle. Trichinella roundworms are most widespread in rural areas and in warm climates throughout the world. In the United States, they're most commonly found in hog-producing regions.
If you have mild trichinosis, you may have no symptoms or only mild stomach or muscle aches. When your body is infested with hundreds of worms, though, more serious symptoms and complications can occur.
Trichinosis can be treated with medication. It's also easy to prevent."
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