What is schistosomiasis (bilharzia)?
Schistosomiasis, formerly known as bilharzia, is an infection with a worm. This worm
is found in freshwater. The worm's larvae are very small and cannot be seen with the naked eye
see. They first develop in a freshwater snail, then in large quantities in the
water are released. They can enter the body through the skin. They then pass through
the bloodstream to the intestinal or bladder wall, where they grow into adult worms of
1-2 centimetres. These worms can then lay eggs.
Where does schistosomiasis occur?
The worms are found in freshwater in (sub)tropical areas. Schistosomiasis can be
contracted by swimming or paddling in lakes, rivers or streams in which the larvae breed
are located. Contamination can also occur during showering, if the water is pumped
is from schistosome-contaminated lakes or streams. Worldwide, more than 200 million
people infected.
What are the symptoms of schistosomiasis?
The disease may go unnoticed or only lead to symptoms after months to years. The severity
of the disease can vary widely. As is often the case with worm infections, people usually do not get
symptoms. The entry of the larvae through the skin can cause itching and rash, however,
called swimmer's itch. After several weeks, an illness may also develop with fever,
muscle pain, skin rash, tightness of the chest and an irritable cough. In the chronic phase, urine
contain blood due to the inflammatory reaction in the bladder wall. Abdominal pain, sometimes with
diarrhoea, may occur due to inflammation of the intestinal wall. If you have one or more of these
symptoms? Then see a (GP) doctor. Your GP can do blood tests.
Blood tests are only useful at least 6 weeks after contact with freshwater.
What measures can I take to prevent schistosomiasis?
➢Avoid contact with fresh surface water in areas where schistosomiasis occurs: do not go
swimming or paddling.
➢If you did go in the water, do not let the water dry to the skin but dry it
you quickly.
➢Sometimes medicines against schistosomiasis are offered locally. The use of these
medication before or after swimming is not useful. This is because the drugs do not work against the
larvae, but only against the adult worm.
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