Schistosomiasis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Schistosomiasis is the body’s reaction to worm infection. The type of worm that causes this infection is the Schistosoma worm. This type of worm lives in fresh water and is found mostly in the interior of tropical countries where the level of individual hygiene is still very low.
In its life cycle, this worm requires an intermediary freshwater snail. Therefore eradication must also involve eradicating slugs in areas that are heavily infected.
Schistosomiasis Symptoms
The symptoms that appear in someone who has a schistosomiasis infection depend on the organ where the Schistosoma resides.
If Scistosoma infects the digestive tract, the symptoms that generally appear include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Pass bloody stools
Apart from the gastrointestinal tract, Schistosoma can also infect a person’s urinary and reproductive tract. Symptoms that are generally felt when worms attack this section include:
- Pass bloody urine
- Wounds in the vagina
- vaginal bleeding
- Pain during intercourse
- There is a lump in the vagina
- Impaired function of the prostate and ducts around the testicles
If not handled properly, urinary tract infections that extend to the reproductive tract can lead to infertility in both men and women. While infections in the gastrointestinal tract can result in chronic malnutrition. In children, malnutrition is very dangerous and has the potential to cause anemia, failure to thrive, and other developmental disorders.
Apart from the digestive and urinary tracts, Schistosoma can also infect other organs – such as the skin, eyes, brain, muscles and adrenal glands. The symptoms that are complained of will appear from each of these infected organs.
Schistosomiasis Reason
Schistosomiasis occurs due to infection with Schistosoma sp. There are various types of schistosomal worms, but the five most infecting types are:
- S. japonicum, is a type of worm that is commonly found in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- S. mansoni, is a species that is commonly found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean Islands, Brazil, and Suriname.
- S. Mekongi, this one is a type that is commonly found in Cambodia.
- S. Guineensis, is a type that is commonly found in Africa.
- S. Haematobium, is a type that is commonly found in Africa, the Middle East, and France.
These worm eggs are found in many aquatic plants in freshwater waters, such as lakes or rivers. These eggs are then eaten by snails that live in these waters and hatch into larvae in the digestive tract of snails.
When the snails excrete feces, the Schistosoma worm larvae will also come out and contaminate the water in the area. These larvae will then move actively and can penetrate the skin of people who are active in the polluted waters.
The larvae then live and develop in human blood vessels. The developing larvae will become female worms and then lay eggs. Eggs that are released when a person defecates become a source of infection and also play a role in the spread of schistosomiasis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of schistosomiasis is determined through a series of detailed medical interviews and physical examinations. Examinations that can be done to confirm this disease include:
- Presence of Schistosoma sp eggs on stool or urine examination
- Detection of antibodies and/or antigens in blood or urine
One of the techniques used to detect the presence of eggs in feces or feces is the Kato-Katz technique. This technique uses methylene blue staining of feces which is then dipped in a glycerin solution. Schistosoma eggs will appear in this inspection method.
Schistosomiasis Treatment
Treatment of schistosomiasis is carried out by administering the drug praziquantel. This drug is quite effective in killing the larvae and adult worms that live in a person’s body.
In addition to treatment, prevention efforts are also needed to minimize the spread of infection to the surrounding environment. Steps to prevent transmission are carried out by screening and mass treatment in endemic areas as well as eradicating snails which are the medium for the development of worms.
Schistosomiasis cases that are not handled properly can lead to various complications such as:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Malnutrition
- Kidney failure
- Kidney disorders
- Bloody urine or hematuria
- Bloody sperm or hematospermia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Infertility or impaired fertility
- Liver and bladder cancer
- Death from kidney or liver failure
Prevention
To prevent schistosomiasis, the most important step is to maintain personal hygiene. Try to avoid activities in fresh water, where there are many cases of schistosomiasis.