Schistosomiasis
Also called: bilharzia
A disease caused by infection with freshwater parasitic worms in certain tropical and subtropical countries.
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging always required
- Spreads through contaminated food or water
The parasite can be found in subsaharan Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. The freshwater becomes contaminated from infected animal or human urine or feces. The parasites penetrate human skin to enter the bloodstream and migrate to the liver, intestines, and other organs.
A rash, itchy skin, fever, chills, cough, headache, belly pain, joint pain, and muscle aches are symptoms.
A medication taken for one to two days can clear the infection.
Very rare: Fewer than 20,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
What is Bilharziasis?
Infection is acquired when people come into contact with fresh water infested with the larval forms (cercariae) of parasitic blood flukes, known as schistosomes. The microscopic adult worms live in the veins draining the urinary tract and intestines.
What are the symptoms of schistosomiasis in humans?
Symptoms of schistosomiasis
a high temperature (fever)
an itchy, red, blotchy and raised rash.
a cough.
diarrhoea.
muscle and joint pain.
tummy pain.
a general sense of feeling unwell.
Can bilharzia be cured?
The drug of choice for treating all species of schistosomes is praziquantel. Cure rates of 65-90% have been described after a single treatment with praziquantel.
Is bilharzia caused by poor hygiene?
Absence of safe water for bathing, washing and swimming, poor sanitation and hygiene practices were major risk factors for schistosomiasis.
Schistosomiasis is a disease of poverty that leads to chronic ill-health. Infection is acquired when people come into contact with fresh water infested with ...
Mar 8, 2023 · Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. After malaria and intestinal ...
Jan 30, 2020 · Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes or blood flukes.
Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, bilharzia, and Katayama fever, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes.
Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is caused by some species of blood trematodes (flukes) in the genus Schistosoma. The three main species infecting humans are ...
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by a parasite that develops in snails, lives in water and enters humans through your skin. It can be cured.
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions.
Feb 1, 2023 · Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma.
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that has evolved together with the humankind. Evidence in ancient Egyptian medical papyri or Assyrian medical texts
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis or “snail fever,” is a waterborne parasitic infection that damages internal organs.
