About this topic
Schistosomiasis is a type of infection. It is caused by a kind of worm. The worm grows inside of a fresh water snail. These snails live and spread the worms in rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and canals. The worms can get into your skin when you come in contact with the infected water. This may happen when you swim, take a bath, wash, or wade in the water. ‚
Signs may start a few days after you get the infection. You may have a rash and your skin may itch. After a couple of months, you may have more signs. You may have fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches. Without treatment, the infection may spread into the other parts of your body. ‚
Your doctor will give you drugs to kill the infection. You may also need drugs to ease your signs. Early care can help lessen the chance of developing serious problems. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all the drugs ordered by your doctor. Do not skip doses. Do not stop taking your drugs, even if you feel better.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight the infection
- Lower fever
- Help treat rashes
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Fluid loss
- Kidney and bladder problems
- Blood infections
- Seizures
- Liver damage
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
- Wear proper protective clothing when working with soil. Wear hand gloves and shoes when farming or working with soil. Also take extra care when working around rivers, streams, lakes, and canals.
- Be careful when swimming.
- Avoid swallowing water while swimming, boating, or doing recreational water activities.
- Avoid swimming, bathing, or wading in fresh water where infections have spread. Swim only in chlorinated pools or in the ocean.
- If you come in contact with the infected water, dry yourself and rub with disinfectant as soon as you get out from the water. Drying with a towel will not prevent this illness.
- Be careful when eating.
- If you suspect that your drinking water may be contaminated, let it boil at more than 140 ‚ °F (60 ‚ °C) for at least 30 minutes.
- Follow good hygiene habits.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is especially important:
- After using the bathroom or changing diapers
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- After working in the dirt
- Bath water should be heated to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Water held in a storage tank for at least 1 to 2 days should be safe for bathing.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Rash and itchy skin
- Fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher and chills
- Muscle and joint pain
- Bloody loose stools
- Belly pain or throwing up
- Cough or coughing up blood
- Bad headache
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness or numbness
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how long I need to take my drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, rash, itchy skin, belly pain, or am throwing up.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/gen_info/faqs.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/schistosomiasis/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚