Q. What are the main phases and clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis?
The Schistosomiasis has acute and chronic phases and Days after the infection the cercarial dermatitis appears at the site where the worm penetrated the skin and In one or two months the acute phase begins and cough, fever, muscle pain and nausea occur but soon disappear in some people this phase may not manifest. In the chronic period of the disease the worm infestation can affect the bowels, the causing diarrhea, bloody feces, tiredness and hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen). The extreme pressure upon the hepatic portal vein produces varix (collateral circulation) in the esophagus and the patient may have hemorrhages and bloody vomiting that may even cause death.