Diagnosis
Sometimes eggs can be found in urine or stool samples, but often a blood test is needed. All of these are examined under a microscope.
Sometimes eggs can be found in urine or stool samples, but often a blood test is needed. All of these are examined under a microscope.
Schistosomiasis is treated with the prescription medication praziquantel (Biltricide®). The drug, provided in pill form, belongs to a class of medications called anthelmintics. These types of drugs kill worms.
You should take praziquantel with water and food. It's usually taken for one day, either as a single larger dose, or three smaller doses in one day.
Before taking any medication, you should tell your healthcare provider what other medications and supplements you take and what kinds of allergies you have. You should also ask whether or not you’ll be able to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Complications/side effects of the treatment
You may have side effects from the infection itself or from the medication and the worms dying off, or both. These might include:
Headache.
Fever.
Stomach pain or nausea.
Dizziness.
Itching.
Malaise (just not feeling well).
If you have hives, contact your healthcare provider. Also, call your provider about any other symptoms that worry you or that seem to be getting worse.
