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Also referred to as snail fever, schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomes. Belonging to the genus Schistosoma, these worms (also called flukes) are commonly found in freshwater bodies in tropical and subtropical regions. Although this infection affects several body parts, the most significant impact is on the urinary tract or the intestines. This is a disease that requires immediate medical attention. When left untreated for a long period of time, it may lead to serious health issues like liver damage, kidney failure, infertility, or bladder cancer. In children, this infection may cause delayed growth and learning difficulties.
After knowing what schistosomiasis is, the next question arises: what causes this infection, and what are some warning signs? Read on to know more about the causes of schistosomiasis, its symptoms, treatment, etc.
Causes
Generally, the parasitic worms that cause this infection are found in snails. Usually, an infected person’s urine or feces contain the eggs of these worms. When a water body gets polluted with this infected fecal matter, those eggs move into the snails present in the water. After some time, these worms with forked heads are shed in the water. When a healthy individual comes into contact with this contaminated water, these worms (flukes) penetrate the skin and lead to schistosomiasis. However, this infection doesn’t spread from one person to another.
Types
There are two major types of this infection: urogenital schistosomiasis and intestinal schistosomiasis. In urogenital schistosomiasis, these egg-laying worms are present within the veins draining the main pelvic organs, including the bladder, uterus, and cervix. Intestinal schistosomiasis, on the other hand, is a condition that causes issues related to the liver and spleen.
Warning Signs of Schistosomiasis
In most cases, an individual with schistosomiasis will not experience any kind of symptoms. For some people, symptoms of schistosomiasis take 4–6 weeks from the time of infection. Itching and skin rashes are usually among the early signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis. This rash often gets developed form where the worm enters the skin.
In each stage of the infection, one may experience different symptoms. Here are some signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis that one experiences within 30 to 60 days of infection:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Muscle aches and pain
If this condition is left untreated for a long time, it may lead to symptoms like:
- Abdominal pain
- Enlarged liver
- Blood in urine or stool
- Pain while urinating
Individuals with a chronic schistosomiasis infection may also develop scars on the liver. In rare cases, an individual might have these worm eggs present in the brain or spinal cord. This is a condition that can lead to complications like seizures, paralysis, or an inflamed spinal cord.
Diagnosis
In most cases, a blood test is suggested by the doctor for a schistosomiasis diagnosis. However, these eggs can be found in urine or stool as well. So the doctor may suggest a urine test or a stool examination as well to perform the diagnosis.
Treatment
Schistosomiasis is a condition that can be treated with regular medication. However, the medicine and its recommended dosage can vary from one individual to another, depending on the severity of the infection. Generally, a doctor prescribes anthelmintics (a type of drug used to kill worms) as a part of schistosomiasis treatment with other medicines.
Prevention
Coming into direct contact with these parasitic worms is the only known cause of schistosomiasis disease. There are certain tips that are useful in the prevention of schistosomiasis disease. These are:
- Don’t consume water from a body of water where snails are known to be present.
- Although drinking water cannot lead to this infection, these worms can enter the skin around the mouth.
- Avoid taking a bath or swimming in such bodies of water.
- Don’t consume fish captured from any water body where snails might be present.
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