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Schistosomiasis

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When people think of diseases, they usually think about the diseases that are most commonly known. In reality, there are tons of minimally known diseases out there and some that people have not even heard of. Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is one of those types of diseases. Although the pronunciation sounds deadly, this disease is avoidable and the chances of getting infected can be slim if there is awareness of the following information.
Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a parasitic disease that is carried by fresh water snails infected with one of the five varieties of the parasite Schistosoma. This disease is caused by helminths specifically blood flukes (trematode worms). The symptoms for this disease vary depending …show more content…

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines available to avoid the infection. An oral treatment called Praziquantel is the most common treatment that is given for Schistosomiasis. This treatment is effective, low-cost, and safe. Reinfection can occur but the risk for a severe case of Schistosomiasis to develop is much lower. Schistosomiasis can also be prevented by avoiding swimming in freshwaters in countries where Schistosomiasis is common such as the Caribbean, South America, and Africa. It is advisable to research the country that you are traveling to beforehand and inform yourself of diseases prevalent in that country. Also, the most important tip is to drink safe water. Even though you cannot get infected with consuming contaminated water, infection can occur if the contaminated water touches your lips or skin on the face. Schistosomiasis is not prevalent in the United States. It is more commonly found in tropical or subtropical areas and countries that are higher in poverty with poor sanitation. It is highly important that travelers that plan to travel to countries known to have Schistosomiasis cases avoid bathing or swimming in freshwaters. It is also recommended that water used for bathing should be boiled for up to 1 minute to get rid of cecariae.
Schistosomiasis is a serious disease that can become deadly if the proper treatments or preventions are neglected. It’s important to not be blind of the fact that diseases

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