Therapeutic target
Elimination of the pathogens
Therapy recommendations
- Mild course: symptomatic therapy (analgesics/pain relievers, antiemetics/anti-nausea drugs, antitussives/cough suppressants, if necessary).
- Severe course with myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)/myositis (muscle inflammation), fever: combination therapy of glucocorticoids and mebendazole (high dosage) or albendazole (benzimidazoles)Caution! Anthelmintics (drugs against worm diseases); uncertain efficacy against encystosed larvae.
- In case of relevant exposure (e.g., consumption of meat products that have a high probability of containing live trichinella)
- Within the past 7 days, without symptomatology (see below).
- 8-30 days ago without symptomatology: initiate laboratory diagnostics: if negative, no further action (observation regarding development of symptoms).
- > 30 days without symptomatology: no further diagnostics (observation regarding development of symptoms).
Exposure within the past 7 days without symptomatology
- After relevant exposure (e.g., consumption of meat products highly likely to contain live trichinella):Drug prophylaxis: mebendazole 2 x 5 mg/kg body weight for 5 days. Contraindication: children under 2 years and during pregnancy.
