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 the life expectancy of a person with schistosomiasis?
Results. The estimated LE for advanced schistosomiasis patients aged 15–19 was 49.51 years (48.86 years for males and 51.07 years for females), which was 20.14 years lower compared with general population (69.65 years), and the LE gap between patients and general population decreased with age.
What is Bilharziasis?
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 the larval forms (cercariae) of parasitic blood flukes, known as schistosomes.
What is the best treatment for schistosomiasis?
Praziquantel is the recommended treatment against all forms of schistosomiasis. It is effective, safe and low-cost. Even though re-infection may occur after treatment, the risk of developing severe disease is diminished and even reversed when treatment is initiated and repeated in childhood.
Feb 1, 2023
What kills Schistosoma?
Praziquantel is effective at treating infections with all major Schistosoma species. The timing of treatment is important since praziquantel is most effective against the adult worm and requires the presence of a mature antibody response to the parasite.
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 ...
Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, bilharzia, and Katayama fever, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes.
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Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is an infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in subtropical and tropical regions.
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 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 (Bilharziasis) is caused by some species of blood trematodes (flukes) in the genus Schistosoma.
Feb 1, 2023 · Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma.
Jul 17, 2018 · Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that has evolved together with the humankind. Evidence in ancient Egyptian medical papyri or ...
