Bilharzia - Schistosomiasis - The Slow Silent Killer

Bilharzia  - Schistosomiasis - Liver Flukes - The Slow Silent Killer

This disease is caused by contact with fresh water parasites. 

Read About Schistosomiasis

CDC


This tropical disease is caused by river flukes, a snail born disease.  Sometimes it can be hard to diagnose especially back in the old days. Many doctors were not as familiar with tropical diseases as much as they are today. 

Some symptoms of the disease are dizziness, nervous conditions, memory loss, distorted vision, and weight loss.  If it continues in the body over long period of time it can eventually lead to death.

One professional hunter I knew in Africa contracted this disease.  But, he said he thinks he actually got it looking for gold in the Brazil jungles.  He suffered with this illness for a couple of years before a doctor who specializes in tropical diseases finally discovered it.  In those days I understand that there wasn't a cure for it.  It took my friend seven or eight years before he died.  A slow but sure death.

Many people think of the dangers in Africa as being charged by an elephant, rhino or mowed down by an angry buffalo.  Being grabbed by a crocodile, bit by a cobra, or mamba are other risks that bring to mind adventure in the continent.  Who would think of an invisible parasite lurking in the water?

One time another man I knew in Africa  just couldn't resist the cool looking water so he went for a swim.  This turned out to be a very bad decision.  He became very ill with the disease.  But the good news was they were able to cure him and his life was saved.