Schistosomiasis

Name : Shistosomaisis A.K.A.bilharzia, bilharziosis or snail fever parasitic worm Genus :Shistosoma Type of Causitive Agent : Parasite  Symptoms: fever chills lymph node enlargement liver and spleen enlargement. Initial invasion of the skin may cause itching and a rash (swimmer's itch). Intestinal symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea Bloody stool frequent urination, <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in;">painful urination (dysuria), <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tabstops: list .5in;">blood in the urine (hematuria).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Transmitted: Swimming or drinking infected water Causative agent: parasite Treatment This infection is usually treated with the drug Praziquantel. If the infection is severe or involves the brain, corticosteroids may be given.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">Prevention: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Avoid bodies of water where you don’t know the safety <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don’t swim or bathe in contaminated water

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 130%;">Lifecycle

Vectors are directly through snail or through infected people or animals.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Likelyhood of contracting disease : In the US the disease is not usually found. But 200 million people are infected internationally though and at a high risk in poverty stricken ares where sanitation isn't frequent. So be prepared and cautious about swimming in water in Nigeria



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