Schistosomiasis is an infection of parasitic worms that thrives in different part of the internal organs. It is also known as bilharzias named after Theodor Bilharz the one who first identified the parasite in Egypt in 1851. Infection is widespread in different countries around the globe although with low mortality rate.
Schistosomiasis is mostly found in the tropical or subtropical areas
This kind of parasitic infection can be contacted through contaminated water where snail as intermediate hosts breeds.
Species of schistosomes or blood fluke
1. Schistosoma mansoni - causes intestinal schistosomiasis
2. Schistosoma japonicum/mekongi - causes intestinal schistosomiasis
3. Schistosoma intercalatum - causes intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis
4. Schistosoma haematobium causes urinary schistosomiasis
Causes of Schistosomiasis
* Drinking contaminated water
* Swimming on contaminated water
On contact with humans, the parasite burrows into the skin and stays there till maturity, after reaching maturity in migrates into the lungs and liver until became an adult worm. When adulthood acquired it migrates into its preferred area in the body which includes:
* Bladder
* Rectum
* Liver
* Spleen
* Lungs
* Intestines
Symptoms of Schistosomiasis
*Symptoms varies with the species of worm and the degree of infection.
* Coma
* Fever
* Chills
* Rashes
* Amnesia
* Headache
* Fibrosis
* Arteriolitis
* Disorientation
* Painful urination
* Blood in Urine
* Abdominal pain
* Bloody diarrhea
* Itching (swimmer’s itch)
* Lymph node enlargement
* Liver and spleen enlargement
For the complete article about Schistosomiasis click here
Sunday, April 27, 2008
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