Schistosomiasis of the Bladder

Schistosomiasis — also known as bilharzia — is one of the most common worm infections worldwide. It is caused by tiny blood flukes that live in freshwater in tropical and subtropical regions. A single contact with contaminated water while washing, bathing, cultivating rice, fishing, or playing as a child can be enough: the larvae penetrate the skin, travel through the blood into the bladder wall, and deposit their eggs there. The bladder becomes inflamed, the urine turns bloody, urination is painful. Some of the eggs leave the body again. Others remain — and the tissue responds over years with inflammation, scarring, sometimes the development of cancer.

Medically, the picture is clear. A parasite has taken up residence. Professional medical treatment with praziquantel is effective and accessible. Anyone who has access to it should use it. That is beyond question.