due to parasitic worms found in fresh water
Schistosomiasisis a disease due to aparasitic worm.
Aparasiteis an organism that invades a human body (called the host) and feeds off it to survive.
The worm that causes schistosomiasis can damage several organs.
NIBSC / Getty Images
How Do You Get Schistosomiasis?
Schistosomiasis is triggered by several different types of flatworms.
Schistosomiasis, which is also known asbilharziasis, isnt found naturally in the United States.
However, it is possible to come into contact with the parasite while traveling.
Parasites need hosts to survive.
These hosts are critical to the life cycle of the worm.
They also play a part in helping schistosomiasis spread.
The eggs hatch in freshwater and the larvae infect water snails.
The snails provide an environment for the larvae to mature.
After maturation, the larvae leave the snail and go on to infect another host such as a person.
They enter the body through the skin, often when a person is swimming or bathing.
Inside the next host, the worms reproduce and lay eggs.
Some of these eggs are passed out of the body through urine and feces.
Others travel to different parts of the body where they cause schistosomiasis.
The disease can be eithershort-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
Where the eggs end up in the body depends on the jot down of schistosomiasis.
The worm’s life cycle continues when the host urinates or defecates in a source of freshwater.
This is why schistosomiasis is prevalent in regions that dont have advanced sanitation systems.
In these areas, as many as 60% to 80% of school-age children are actively infected.
Symptoms
You may not have symptoms when youre infected with the larvae that cause schistosomiasis.
Many people, though, show signs of infection within weeks.
Acute
Acute schistosomiasis can last two to eight weeks.
Symptoms may include:
This jot down of acute condition is known as Katayama syndrome.
Symptoms may start when youre first infected or sometime later.
Chronic
Without treatment, schistosomiasis can become chronic.
The symptoms can last for years and often become more serious.
That leads to inflammation.
The parasitic flatworms live an average of three to 10 years.
In some cases they can continue to lay eggs and infect a person for as long as 40 years.
Complications
Chronic schistosomiasis can cause serious and even permanent damage to your body.
Before taking a sample, your healthcare provider will ask about your travel history.
This will help determine which bang out of infection you may have.
The laboratory will look for the parasite’s eggs in the stool or urine sample.
It may be necessary to examine multiple samples taken on different days.
A blood test that looks for antibodies can also help identify the parasite.
Treatment
Medication can cure schistosomiasis.
Biltricide (praziquantel) is ananthelminticdrug, which means it kills worm-like parasites.
Its usually taken three times in one day to treat the infection and rid the body of the eggs.
Unfortunately, treatment to cure schistosomiasis may not work.
Some cases of schistosomiasis are resistant to medication, which means the drug does not affect the worms.
And if the disease is found late, damage thats already been done can’t be reversed.
Prevention
Schistosomiasis can cause severe medical problems before you even know youre infected.
Thats why avoiding infection is the best way to stay healthy.
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a dangerous disease.
Not everyone who gets infected ends up with serious health problems, but the risks are high.
If you travel to areas where the species are known to thrive, avoid freshwater.
See a doctor if you think youve been exposed to parasite-infested water, even if you dont have symptoms.
If you are diagnosed with an infection, medication usually works to get the eggs out of your system.
It’s important to start treatment early before any organ damage develops.
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