infections
Schistosomiasis
Symptoms of Schistosomiasis
Most people with schistosomiasis have no symptoms. But when schistosomes first penetrate the skin, an itchy rash may develop at the site of penetration. After about 2 to 4 weeks but as long as 12 weeks later (when the adult flukes begin laying eggs), some people develop acute schistosomiasis with rash, fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, fatigue, vague discomfort (malaise), nausea, and abdominal pain. Lymph nodes may temporarily enlarge, then return to normal. This group of symptoms is called Katayama fever. If the infection lasts a long time (called chronic schistosomiasis), the body has an inflammatory response to the eggs, which causes other symptoms and scarring. Symptoms depend on the organs affected: If blood vessels of the intestine are chronically infected: Abdominal discomfort, pain, and bleeding (seen in the stool), which may result in anemia If the liver is affected and pressure in the portal vein is high ( Portal Hypertension ): An enlarged liver and spleen If the bladder is chronically infected: Painful, frequent urination, bloody urine, and an increased risk of Bladder Cancer None If the urinary tract is chronically infected: Inflammation and eventual scarring that can block the tube from the kidney to the bladder (ureter), sometimes causing urine to back up and damage the kidney If the brain or spinal cord is chronically infected (rare): Seizures, muscle weakness, or paralysis If the lungs are chronically infected: High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs (called pulmonary hypertension) and shortness of breath, light-headedness, and chest pain due to a type of heart failure called Cor Pulmonale None If the genitals are infected in females: Can involve the vulva, vagina, and cervix as well as the fallopian tubes and can result in vaginal bleeding during sex and pelvic (gynecologic) examinations, pain during sex, Overview of Infertility , If the genitals are infected in males: Can involve the epididymis, testicles, spermatic cord, or prostate and can result in pelvic, coital, or ejaculatory pain, blood in semen ( Blood in Semen ), abnormal swelling of genital organs, and infertility 