Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by infection with flatworms Schistosoma. Until now, schistosomiasis is still quite common in tropical climates, including Indonesia.
Worms that cause schistosomiasis live in fresh water, such as rivers, lakes, and pools. Besides being able to infect humans, the worms that cause schistosomiasis can also infect animals, such as snails, snails, rats, and cows.
Worm Schistosoma can enter the human body through the skin, for example when a person bathes or swims in a lake or river contaminated with these worms. In addition, these worms can also enter a person's body if that person consumes water or animal meat contaminated with worms Schistosoma.
After entering the human body, worms Schistosoma will multiply in the bladder and colon. If people with schistosomiasis urinate (BAK) or defecate (BAB) in rivers or lakes, the worm eggs that come out with urine and feces will pollute the environment. .
Beware of Symptoms-Symptoms of Schistosomiasis
When the worm larvae enter the skin, some people may develop a rash and itching. However, there are also those who do not feel any symptoms until several weeks or months later.
Symptoms of schistosomiasis usually appear 2-12 weeks after the worms enter the body and reproduce. At this stage, people affected by schistosomiasis may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Muscle ache
- Cough
- Digestive disorders, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools
- Fatigue
- Dizzy
If left untreated, the worms that cause schistosomiasis will continue to multiply and over time can cause damage to various organs of the body, such as the liver, intestines, bladder, lungs, and brain. Therefore, this disease needs to be treated by a doctor so as not to cause dangerous complications.
Several Drug Options for Overcoming Schistosomiasis
In order for schistosomiasis to be treated properly, an examination by a doctor is required. To ensure that the patient suffers from schistosomiasis, the doctor can perform a physical examination and supporting examinations in the form of:
- Blood, stool and urine tests
- Endoscopy and cystoscopy
- Liver biopsy
- Radiological examination, such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
If the results of the doctor's examination indicate that you have schistosomiasis, the doctor may prescribe the following medicines:
Anthelmintic
Deworming drugs that are usually used to treat schistosomiasis are: praziquantel . This drug is effective at killing adult worms, but less effective at killing worm eggs or worms Schistosoma which is still small. This drug works by immobilizing the worms so that the worms can be expelled through the feces.
Antimalarial drugs
Sometimes, your doctor may also prescribe the antimalarial drug armeticin or artesunate to treat schistosomiasis. This drug is usually given if deworming alone is not successful in treating schistosomiasis.
Corticosteroids
Doctors may also give corticosteroid drugs if the patient's schistosomiasis is severe enough or if the worms have damaged certain organs, such as the brain and liver.
Steps to Prevent Schistosomiasis Disease
If you travel a lot or go on outdoor adventures, be careful about the cleanliness of the water in the places you visit. In order not to get schistosomiasis,
You can take the following preventive steps:
- Avoid swimming, bathing, or bathing in rivers, lakes, puddles, or reservoirs where the cleanliness of the water is not guaranteed.
- Avoid drinking raw water from ponds, rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
- Avoid eating animal meat that has the potential to contain worms Schistosoma. If you want to eat beef, make sure the meat is fully cooked.
- If you want to use fresh water from nature for bathing or drinking, first boil the water until it boils for at least 1-2 minutes.
To date, there is no proven vaccine to prevent schistosomiasis. Therefore, you need to always be vigilant and be more careful when you are active in the open where there are fresh water sources, as well as when you want to eat animal meat that has the potential to contain worm eggs.
If you experience the symptoms of schistosomiasis, immediately consult a doctor for proper examination and treatment.
