Schistosoma mansoni
Blood fluke (Intestinal schistosomiasis)
Symptoms reported
- •Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer’s itch)
- •Katayama fever
- •Generalized lymphadenopathy
- •Hepatosplenomegaly
- •Portal hypertension
Life cycle
Cercariae penetrate the skin and migrate to the mesenteric veins of the sigmoidorectal region, where they mature and release eggs into the feces.
Transmission
Skin penetration by infective cercariae in freshwater containing Biomphalaria snails.
Conventional medical treatment
Praziquantel 20 mg/kg, two doses in 1 day; Oxamniquine is also effective.
For information only. Discuss with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any pharmaceutical.
Treatment Options — Natural First, Pharmaceutical When Needed
Natural First
- •Wormwood
- •Olive Leaf
- •Oregano oil
- •Neem
- •Activated charcoal (binder)
- •Hydration + electrolytes
- •Rest + bone broth nutrition
Pharmaceutical (if natural-first insufficient)
- •Praziquantel 20 mg/kg, two doses in 1 day; Oxamniquine is also effective.
When to escalate to pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical first if: hepatobiliary disease (jaundice, right upper quadrant pain), pulmonary hemoptysis (Paragonimus), urinary bleeding (Schistosoma haematobium), or any sign of fluke-driven cancer (Opisthorchis, Clonorchis).
Traditional herbal alternatives
In stock at our apothecary
In our database (educational reference)
Also referenced (not currently in our database):
Each herb above carries a tradition. See the 2,000-year lineage of Western herbal medicine →
“The antigens (released from eggs) and the adult worms stimulate the host humoral response, leading to the formation of immune complexes and serum sickness like illness called Katayama fever.”
— Essentials of Medical Parasitology
This page is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before acting on anything you read here.