Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite of the genus Schistosoma, the most widespread in Latin America and Schistosoma mansoni, this worm is found in the water of rivers and lakes where it infects snails, which serve as intermediate guests of the parasite. , developing within them to reach the stage at which they can infect humans.
This parasite enters the body through the skin, causing signs and symptoms such as muscle growth and muscle weakness, muscle weakness and pain. Schistosomiasis is most common in tropical environments, developing mainly in countries where there is no basic sanitation and environmental control. Schistosomiasis was known as bilharziosis or bilharziosis.
- In most cases.
- Schistosomiasis is asymptomatic.
- However.
- The person infected with the parasite may develop initial signs and symptoms that characterize the first phase of the disease.
- Also called the acute phase.
- Being the main:.
Redness peck where the parasite enters;
Faithful;
Weakness;
Cough;
Muscle pain;
Lack of appetite;
Diarrhea constipation;
Nausea and vomiting;
Chills.
As the parasite develops in the body and moves toward the circulation door, which is the venous system that carries blood from the abdominal organs to the liver, more serious signs and symptoms may appear, characterizing the second phase of the disease. A condition also known, as the chronic phase, which has the following symptoms:
Blood on request;
Cramps;
Abdominal pain;
Maréos,
Weight loss;
Ascites;
Palpitations;
Hardening and enlargement of the liver;
Increased fund;
Cirrose;
Haemorrhage from esophageal veins
To prevent the onset of the most severe symptoms of schistosomiasis, it is important that the diagnosis is preferably made in the acute phase of the disease, diagnosis is made by detecting Schistosoma mansoni in humans in 3-day hives. , if you can request hematology and liver enzyme values, such as ALT and AST, which are normally modified, in addition to imaging tests, such as abdominal ultrasound, for example, to check the increase and functioning of the liver and liver. . .
Schistosoma mansoni infection is caused by contact with contaminated water in areas where there are a large number of snails, which promotes the release of evolutionary forms that can be transferred to water by humans, so farmers, fishermen, women and children are vulnerable to disease after fishing, washing clothes or bathing in contaminated water.
The life cycle of schistosomiasis is complex and develops as follows
The inhabitants of Schistosoma mansoni were released in the case of infected people, with a life expectancy of 24 hours for liquid needs and 5 days for solid needs;
When humans enter the water, due to an increase in temperature, increased exposure to light and oxygen content of water, they release miracidio, which is one of the evolutionary forms of Schistosoma mansoni;
The miracidios in the water are attracted by snails due to the substances released by these molluscs;
Connected to snails, the miracidios pierce some of their structures, bend and converge into sporacy and circle-shaped, which has a forked glue and can swim in the water;
The pens poured into the water and penetrated the person’s skin;
Upon entering the skin, the feathers surround their glue and become schistosomolos as they progress through the bloodstream;
Shale-mules migrate to the circulation portal, from which maturity has the adult phase;
Adult males of both males and females migrate to the intestine, from where females place humans;
Eggs take about 1 week to mature, so they can become miracles;
Mature rain is released on demand and when it comes into contact with water it results in a new cycle.
Thus, in places where there is no basic sanitation, it is common for many people in the same community to become infected with schistosomiasis, especially in the region, there are large corners of freshwater snails, which play a fundamental role in the cycle. the life of the parasite. To break this cycle and prevent others from becoming infected, avoid contact with contaminated water and remove snails.
Treatment is usually done with antiparasitic drugs such as Praziquantel or Oxamniquina for 1 or 2 days, which kills and eliminates parasites. In addition, your doctor may recommend using glucocorticosteroid ointments to relieve skin pain, rest, good hydration, colic painkillers, and antipyretics to lower fever.
These medicines should not be used during pregnancy and if the woman is breastfeeding, she should stop breastfeeding during treatment and for 3 days after taking these medicines as they pass through the newborn room.
In people who develop the chronic phase in which the liver, stomach and intestines are severely affected by the presence of the parasite, medications may be used to control diarrhea and sclerotherapy of esophageal varicose veins and the use of important beta blockers.
Schistosomiasis has a cure when diagnosing in the early stages of the disease and treating if it is possible to eliminate the parasite and prevent complications such as liver hypertrophy and anemia and delay the child’s development, for example. spreads from this parasite, the person should start taking the medicine as soon as possible.
To really know if the person is cured, your doctor may request a re-examination within 6 to 12 weeks of starting treatment. In some cases, to avoid the ducts, your doctor requests a rectal biopsy within 6 months of onset. treatment.
However, even if the healing of schistosomiasis is verified, the person in immunity will not become infected with the parasite again if it comes into contact with contaminated water.
Prevention can be done through basic hygienic measures such as
Avoid contact with floodwaters and floodwaters
On bare ground in the street, in the mountains and in freshwater rivers;
Drink only drinking, filtered or boiled water
These precautions should be taken mainly in areas where there is no adequate sanitation and where wastewater flows into open water.