Schistosomiasis
Alternative Names
Bilharzia; Katayama fever; Swimmer's itch; Blood flukeTreatment
- Praziquantel
- With acute infection, corticosteroids may be given
Outlook (Prognosis)
Treatment before significant damage or severe complications occur usually produces good results.
Possible Complications
- Kidney and bladder obstruction
- Chronic renal failure
- Bladder cancer
- Chronic liver damage and an enlarged spleen
- Colon (large intestine) inflammation with bloody diarrhea
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Right-sided heart failure
- Seizures
- Repeated secondary blood infections can occur, because bacteria can enter the bloodstream via the colon if it has become irritated
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have traveled to an area where the disease is known to exist, have had exposure to contaminated or suspect bodies of water, or have developed symptoms suggestive of schistosomiasis.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.