Schistosmiasis SHIStoeSOmyuhsis

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Schistosmiasis (SHIS-toe-SO-my-uh-sis)
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Say What?

• Schistosmiasis ,also known as, bilharzia is a
  disease transmitted by parasitic worms. It causes
  illness in humans.

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Where?

• It occurs in
• Africa
• Egypt
• South America Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela
• Caribbean Antigua, Dominican Republic,
  Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Lucia
• Middle East Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
• Southern China
• Southeast Asia Philippines, Laos, Cambodia,
  central Indonesia, Mekong delta
• Eastern Mediterranean
• Western pacific region

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How do you get it?

• You get this disease when your skin comes in
  contact with contaminated freshwater
• When people urinate in the water the eggs hatch,
  and if certain types of snails are in the water
  the parasites grow and develop inside the snail.
• The parasite leaves the snail and enters the
  water where it can survive for about 48 hours.
• When the parasites come in contact with someone's
  skin who is in any contaminated water within a
  couple of weeks the worms grow inside the blood
  vessel and lay other eggs.

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Symptoms

• within days you may experience
• Rash/itchy skin, cough, fever, chills
• Muscle aches can begin with 1-2 months with
  infection
• After years of infection can also damage
• Liver, intestines, lungs, and bladder
• If eggs are found in the brain or spinal chord
  can cause seizures, paralysis, or spinal chord
  inflammation

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How is it diagnosed?

• See your doctor if you have traveled to the
  countries where schistosomiasis is found and had
  contact with contaminated fresh water
• Your doctor may ask to provide a urine sample to
  see If you have the parasite
• A blood test is available at CDC
• To get more accurate results you must wait 6-8
  weeks after your last exposure to contaminated
  freshwater before the blood sample is taken

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How do we prevent it?

• Avoid getting into contaminated freshwater
• Drink safe water
• Heat bathwater for about 5 minutes at 150F
• Wash all towels frequently to prevent Schistosoma
  parasite from touching the skin
• (DO NOT RELY ON THAT ALL THE TIME)
• In countries in which it occurs in

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How do we destroy it?

• Take pills for 1-2 days that your doctor provides
  

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• By
• Caroline Guzzi
• Delaney Hill
• Samantha King
• Information from the following
• www.cdc.gov
• www.who.int/topics/infectious diseases/en/