Schistosome parasite Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Schistosome parasite - Essay Example water sources that are infected with the bilharzia diseases, being under the age of 14, residing in the prone regions such as Africa, and working in occupations centered around freshwater areas. The transmission of the diseases occurs when an individual suffering from the disease contaminates fresh water sources with infected eggs that hatch in the water (WHO n.p). Upon infection, the worm develops into adult schistosomes that live in the blood vessel and lay eggs. The progenies are emitted, with the faeces and urine, to ensure the continuity of the life cycle. However, some eggs are trapped in the body tissues where the cause immune reaction and progress to damage the body organs. There are various snail species responsible for the transmission of the disease and vary on the region. The most common vector species are Bulinus, Biomphalaria, Oncomelania, and Physopsis that are prevalent, in Africa, Asia, and Europe (WHO n.p). The disease has two broad classifications based on its area of infection. Specifically, this intestinal and urogenital Schistosomiasis is prevalent in Africa and Asia. The ailment is common among the rural poor communities including women doing domestic chores such as washings and children living under unhygienic condition with higher exposure to infected water. The manifestation of the disease symptoms is due to the body’s reaction to the worms eggs. The most common signs of the intestinal Schistosomiasis include abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and diarrhoea. However, the enlargement of the spleen and the liver is common in the advanced stages. Specifically, these enlargements are due to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity and increased blood pressure in the abdominal vessels (WHO n.p). In the urogenital Schistosomiasis, the classic symptom is blood in urine (haematuria). In its advanced stage, bladder cancer, fibrosis of the ureter is common. Additionally, painful intercourse, lesions, and vaginal bleeding are typical