diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

diagnosis

A detailed history together with physical examination is important in diagnosing the infection:

  • medical history
    • inquire about any recent travel to any endemic country or whether emigrated from an endemic country
    • contact with a freshwater source e.g. - lakes, rivers, streams
  • physical examination
    • check for an urticarial rash (discrete erythematous raised lesions that vary in size from 1-3 cm)
    • hepatomegaly and splenomagealy (in about a third of patients)
    • dry or moist rales on auscultation of the lungs during the acute phase
    • generalised lymphadenopathy

See linked item for investigations carried out for schistosomiasis

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