Schistosomiasis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What Is Schistosomiasis?

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is a disease caused by small parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. Unfortunately, these parasites need a host to survive, and that host can be you. It all starts with snails, which carry these parasites. The snails shed these parasites into the water. When you come in contact with water, either while washing your hands or swimming, these parasites enter your body. Once inside the body, they will live for years, causing health issues if not treated promptly. There are two main types of the disease. Urogenital Schistosomiasis affects the urinary and reproductive systems, while intestinal schistosomiasis affects the digestive system.

How Does Schistosomiasis Affect the Body?

Once schistosomes gain entry into the body, they travel through the bloodstream and reach different organs, causing various types of infection, such as urinary, intestinal, or urogenital schistosomiasis. The parasite does not harm the body, but the eggs it lays trigger inflammation, which can eventually affect the organ.

What Is Urinary Schistosomiasis?

Urinary schistosomiasis occurs when blood flukes come into contact with contaminated water. These parasites enter your bloodstream and travel to your urinary tract or bladder. They release the eggs in the bladder, causing inflammation. If inflammation persists for a long time, it will result in bladder cancer.

What Is Urogenital Schistosomiasis?

Urogenital schistosomiasis is brought on by Schistosoma haematobium. It mainly affects the urinary and reproductive systems. It affects the vagina, cervix, and uterus in women. It results in pain and infertility issues. In men, it affects the prostate, causing pain and issues with reproduction.

What Causes Schistosomiasis and Is It Transmitted?

Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic flukes that live in certain freshwater snails. These blood flukes (trematode worms) are from the Schistosoma genus.

And how is it transmitted? The cycle of infection goes like this -

• Parasites grow inside the snail and are shed into the water.

• Then, if it comes in contact with a human host, it will enter using its fork-like head to penetrate the skin.

• Inside the human body, it matures and releases eggs.

• The eggs are then eliminated from the body through urine or feces.

• If human feces contaminate the water, eggs can again infect the snails.

• Thus, the cycle continues.

Can you get it from another person? The best part is that you will not get this by direct contact with the infected person. It is not a contagious disease. The only way to contract the disease is by contact with contaminated water.

What Are the Early Symptoms of Schistosomiasis?

Early symptoms that occur within days or weeks after infection with schistosomiasis include -

• Itching and redness at the place where the parasite has entered the skin.

• Fever and chills are due to an immune-related reaction to the infection.

• Tiredness.

• Low energy levels.

• Cough.

Later symptoms of urinary schistosomiasis include-

• Presence of blood in the urine.

• Burning sensation while urinating.

• Frequent urination.

• Urinary incontinence.

• Pain in the lower abdominal region.

• Urinary tract infections from parasites.

How Is Urinary Schistosomiasis Diagnosed?

If your doctor believes you might have schistosomiasis, the best way to diagnose it is to detect eggs in your urine or feces. But fear not—they have various procedures to make the right diagnosis.

• Urine Filtration—If the parasite is in the bladder or urinary tract, a basic urine test will help you identify it. Your doctor might collect the parasite eggs through a simple filtration process.

• Urine Microscopy - The urine sample is examined under a microscope to detect parasitic eggs. This is the standard test to diagnose urinary schistosomiasis.

• Urine Dipstick Tests—Kids with S. haematobium will also have blood in their urine, which can be detected using simple dipstick tests.

• Blood Tests - If you have traveled to places with uncommon schistosomiasis, your doctors may check for antibodies or antigens. This helps to find whether you are exposed to the parasite.

• PCR (Molecular Testing)—PCR(polymerase chain reaction) assists in identifying parasitic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) in urine.

• Bladder Ultrasound—An ultrasonogram helps to identify bladder damage, but it cannot be used as a primary diagnostic tool.

If you experience any unusual symptoms after visiting the areas where the condition is common, consult a physician. Prompt diagnosis and treatment will help you prevent complications.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Schistosomiasis?

If schistosomiasis is left untreated for a long time, it will have long-term impacts on your overall health. It can survive in your body for years and cause damage to various organs. Chronic inflammation of the bladder results in bladder cancer. Chronic illness also causes poor growth in children, resulting in malnutrition. Sometimes, intestinal schistosomiasis may affect the liver, resulting in cirrhosis and liver damage.

What Are the Treatment Options for Schistosomiasis?

If you are diagnosed with urinary schistosomiasis, do not worry. There is a medication that is super effective against these parasites. Praziquantel, an antihelmintic drug, is the go-to drug for schistosomiasis treatment.

Praziquantel works by paralyzing parasites. This medication comes in tablets and is advised to be taken as a single dose or three small doses a day. Also, make sure to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications or supplements and if you are allergic to any drugs.

How Can Schistosomiasis Be Prevented?

There is no vaccine or medication to prevent bladder schistosomiasis. The only way to prevent yourself from getting the infection is to avoid contaminated water when in disease-prone places.

Some tips to protect yourself from this infection are,

• Avoid swimming, wading, and bathing in places where schistosomiasis is common.

• Avoid drinking untreated water, as it can also be a source of parasites. Boil the tap water before drinking it.

• Also, swimming in chlorinated pools is safe, but the chlorine concentration is difficult to identify.

• Towel drying immediately after bathing eliminates parasites before they penetrate your skin. However, this is not a proven method of preventing the disease.

• Repellents can be used to protect against parasites that cause schistosomiasis.

Conclusion:

So far, we understand how schistosomiasis is transmitted and how it causes symptoms like rashes, fever, body aches, chills, etc. If you fail to treat the disease early, it will cause more damage to your body. So, if you or your loved ones suffer the abovementioned symptoms, consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the condition as early as possible.

Key Takeaway/A Note from Icliniq:

Our doctors in iCliniq are highly qualified to guide you and educate you on more prevention and treatment strategies. So, if you encounter any of the symptoms mentioned above after visiting a freshwater area, kindly reach out to our experts, who will walk you through the entire diagnosis process and get you treated promptly without any delay.