Take a Look at Snail Fever
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Kristen Gray and Professor Yolanda Vega
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-15-2016
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the second most devastating socioeconomic parasitic disease in the world. Snail fever, Schisto, and swimmer’s itch are common names for this parasitic disease. Found in bodies of stagnant water, schistosomiasis causes many horrible symptoms, including brain damage, and can cause death if left untreated for a long period of time. This disease is easily curable, but highly contagious. Praziquantel is the drug that cures Schistosomiasis which is readily available for those in first world countries. However, developing countries struggle to get the necessary drug due to the price and availability. Sometimes the drug is not prescribed to those in developing countries because reinfection often occurs within a year. It is important for people in developed countries to seek solutions to this problem as well because this disease affects people regardless of their economic status. This study explores the following steps that can be taken to work to reduce the instances of Schistosomiasis; donations to organizations to make Praziquantel more economically available; build wells in developing countries so that a clean, uncontaminated water supply may exist for the population; educational programs focusing on safe water management such as boiling water to help reduce the occurrences of snail fever.
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