SCHISTOSOMIASES Meaning and
Definition
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Schistosomiases is a plural noun referring to a group of infectious diseases caused by parasitic flatworms, primarily belonging to the genus Schistosoma. These parasitic worms are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in freshwater areas such as rivers and lakes. Schistosomiases are considered neglected tropical diseases, affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly in developing countries with poor sanitation and limited access to safe water sources.
The transmission of schistosomiases occurs when people come into contact with contaminated water containing the intermediate host, a type of freshwater snail that releases larvae into the water. Upon contact with the human skin, the larvae penetrate and develop into adult worms, residing mainly in the blood vessels surrounding the gastrointestinal or urinary systems.
Symptoms of schistosomiases may vary depending on the species of Schistosoma involved, but they commonly include abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the urine or stool, and weight loss. In chronic cases, the infection can lead to organ damage, particularly affecting the liver, bladder, and intestines.
Schistosomiases can be prevented through various methods, including avoiding contact with freshwater sources where the intermediate host is present, improving sanitation facilities, and treating infected individuals through medications such as praziquantel. Public health interventions, such as education and awareness campaigns, are essential in preventing and controlling schistosomiases, as they focus on promoting hygiene practices and reducing exposure to contaminated water sources.
Common Misspellings for SCHISTOSOMIASES
- schistosomiasus
- schoistosomiasis
- shistosomiasis
- schistosomiasis
- schystosomiasis
- achistosomiases
- zchistosomiases
- xchistosomiases
- dchistosomiases
- echistosomiases
- wchistosomiases
- sxhistosomiases
- svhistosomiases
- sfhistosomiases
- sdhistosomiases
- scgistosomiases
- scbistosomiases
- scnistosomiases
- scjistosomiases
- scuistosomiases
Etymology of SCHISTOSOMIASES
The word "schistosomiasis" is derived from the Greek roots "schistos" meaning 'split' or 'cleaving' and "soma" meaning 'body'. This is because the disease is caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma, which have a long, slender body that appears segmented or "split" in certain stages of their life cycle. The suffix "-iasis" is used in medical terminology to denote a disease or condition. So, when combined, "schistosomiasis" literally means a disease caused by the parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma.
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