The incubation period varies with severity of infection. Abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms may develop in the first week. Periorbital edema may occur for a few days. Subsequently, muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness, fever, skin rashes, headache, and other manifestations develop. Severe infections may cause meningitis or encephalitis. A myocarditis may lead to fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Pulmonary or renal involvement occurs occasionally.

The diagnosis is suggested by the concurrence of periorbital edema, myositis, and an eosinophilia and can be confirmed serologically, but serologic tests are usually unhelpful for the first 2 or 3 weeks after infection. If necessary, skeletal muscle biopsy is performed to detect the presence of larvae. Mild infection requires only symptomatic therapy; the clinical course is self-limited. Definitive treatment is required for severe infections or neurologic involvement and consists of corticosteroids plus mebendazole or albendazole. Preventive approaches involve education about the dangers of consuming uncooked meats and control of farming techniques.

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