Definition:
Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasites with several species of fluke of the genus Schistosoma. The parasite is commonly found in Africa, Asia, and South America particularly in regions with water that is polluted with freshwater snails that may carry parasite.
Diagnosis:
Stool or urine sample to check for eggs of the parasite
Tissue biopsy is done when tests in stool or urine comes out negative
Antibody detection is performed for clinical management and epidemiologic surveys
Treatment:
It can be easily treated with the use of a single oral dose of Praziquantel drug. Other drugs used outside the US is Oxamniquine. Medical experiments have shown that castor oil is used as an oral anti-penetration agent. In addition, Dr Chidzere of Zimbabwe studied the Gopo Berry and found that it can be used to control freshwater snails that carry the disease.
Symptoms and Signs:
Common symptoms of Schistosomiasis are skin rashes, skin is itchy, fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, hives, liver symptoms, fever, headaches, pain in the abdomen, melena, dry cough. Paralysis, fits and swelling of spinal cord can also occur if there eggs in the spinal cord. Gastrointestinal symptoms also happen lie diarrhea, bladder infection symptoms like cystitis.
Causes:
Schistosomiasis it caused by Schistosoma fluke infection.
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