In simple words: Schistosomiasis, also called "snail fever" or "bilharzia," is an infection caused by a parasitic worm found in certain freshwater sources. It's common in parts of Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia. When you come into contact with contaminated water, the tiny worms can burrow into your skin. Once inside, they travel to your blood vessels and organs like the liver and intestines where they lay eggs. This can cause various symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to long-term health issues.

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma.It is transmitted through contact with contaminated fresh water inhabited by infected snails. The infection can manifest in intestinal and urogenital forms, causing a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool or urine, and in chronic cases, organ damage.

Example 1: A traveler returning from a trip to Africa presents with fever, cough, and an itchy rash.Stool examination reveals Schistosoma mansoni eggs, confirming a diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis., A child living in a rural area with poor sanitation develops blood in urine and bladder irritation.Microscopic examination of the urine confirms the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs, indicating urogenital schistosomiasis., A patient with a long-standing, untreated schistosomiasis infection presents with enlarged liver and spleen, indicating chronic schistosomiasis and potential organ damage.

Documentation should include details of patient history (including travel history and potential exposure to contaminated fresh water), physical findings, and laboratory results confirming the presence of Schistosoma eggs or antibodies/antigens. For chronic cases, documentation of organ involvement or complications is crucial.