Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis (formerly also called bilharzia) is an infection with a parasitic worm. There are five species, including Schistosoma mansoni, haematobium, japonicum, intercalatum and mekong.

You can get schistosomiasis through contact with fresh water in the tropics and subtropics, for example swimming or paddling.

The worm larva enters the body through the skin. In the blood vessels of the gut or bladder the larvae mature and lay eggs. You cannot infect other people.

Sometimes you notice nothing, sometimes only months to years later. When the larva enters the skin you can get an itchy rash. After a few weeks you can get fever, plus back pain, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, blood in stool or urine, or paralysis, from inflammation where the worms have laid eggs.

Do not swim or paddle in fresh water in countries where schistosomiasis occurs. If you have been in the water, dry off quickly rather than letting the water dry on your skin. There is no vaccine, but there are tablets to treat the disease. Chlorinated pools and the sea are safe.