About Bilharzia Disease

Bilharzia disease, also known as schistosomiasis, is not a commonly known disease, but it is widespread. While it is not found in the United States, currently more than 200 million people worldwide are infected with the disease. It is common in countries without advanced sanitation systems. Caused by parasites known as schistosomes, it is easily spread in freshwater bodies.

Infection

• Bilharzia disease is carried by parasitic worms known as schistosomes. If an individual comes into contact with freshwater contaminated by schistosomes, the parasite will penetrate the skin to find refuge within the body. Within several weeks of it penetrating the skin, the worms will begin to grow inside the blood vessels. It is here where the parasitic worm produces its eggs. The eggs will sometimes travel through the body to the intestine or bladder, eventually being passed into the urine or stool.

Transmission

• If a person infected with bilharzia disease defecates or urinates in a body of freshwater, the eggs of the schistosomes are left behind. Once the eggs in the water hatch, if bulinus snails are present, the parasite will infect the snail to grow and develop inside. When the parasite leaves the snail, it can survive on its own in the water for up to only 48 hours. If an uninfected individual uses the contaminated water where these snails have been for bathing, swimming or wading, infection will occur.

Symptoms

• Within days of being infected with the parasite, people may discover a rash and itchy skin. But typically, symptoms will not present themselves within the early stages of infection. A fever, accompanied by aches, chills and a cough will show up one to two months after infection. As the eggs pass through the bladder or intestine, scarring and inflammation may occur as well. The symptoms are not caused by the parasitic eggs themselves, but rather by the body's reaction to their presence.

Diagnosis

• Bilharzia disease is quite easy to diagnose. The doctor will take urine or stool samples to test for illness. They may also perform a blood test, but only six to eight weeks after the person has been infected.

Treatment

• Bilharzia disease is actually remarkably easy to treat. Your doctor should prescribe you some safe and effective drugs to get rid of the parasite, and the medication is necessary for only one or two days.

Long Term Effects

• Although bilharzia disease is easy to treat, long-term damage may be done to the body if an individual has been infected for an extended period of time. If an individual lives for years without knowing he is infected, his liver, lungs, bladder and intestine will sustain damage. The liver and spleen may progressively grow larger, and the abdominal blood vessels may have hypertension. Occasionally, if eggs are found in the spinal cord or brain, it may result in spinal cord inflammation, paralysis or seizures. Children who have been repeatedly infected may suffer from malnutrition, anemia and learning disabilities. They may also have distended bellies.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent infection is to avoid freshwater that isn't sanitary and could potentially be infected. Drink water only that has been filtered or boiled for a full minute. Iodine tablets will not flush out the parasite. When bathing, heat the water for five minutes at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. When showering, you should be safe using water that has been held in a storage tank for at least 48 hours. Avoid wading or swimming in freshwater that is potentially contaminated. Pools and ocean water should be a safe alternative. Be aware of high-risk areas also. These include regions in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, southern China and southeast Asia.