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More about Schistosomiasis:
Definition Causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Prevention Resources |
Prevention of the disease involves several targets and requires long term community commitment. Infected patients require diagnosis, treatment, and education about how to avoid reinfecting themselves and others. Adequate healthcare facilities need to be available, water systems must be treated to kill the worms and control snail populations, and sanitation must be improved to prevent the spread of the disease.
To avoid schistosomiasis in endemic areas:
- contact the CDC for current health information on travel destinations.
- upon arrival, ask an informed local authority about the infestation of schistosomiasis before being exposed to freshwater in countries that are likely to have the disease.
- do not swim, stand, wade, or take baths in untreated water.
- treat all water used for drinking or bathing. Water can be treated by letting it stand for three days, heating it for five minutes to around 122°F (around 50°C), or filtering or treating water chemically, with chlorine or iodine, as with drinking water.
- should accidental exposure occur, infection can be prevented by hastily drying off or applying rubbing alcohol to the exposed area.
— Ruth E. Mawyer, RN
