You can become infected if you come into contact with contaminated water – for example, when paddling, swimming or washing – and the tiny worms burrow into your skin. Once in your body, the worms move through your blood to areas such as the liver and bowel. After a few weeks, the worms start to lay eggs.
How are humans exposed to schistosomiasis?
How can I get schistosomiasis? Infection occurs when your skin comes in contact with contaminated freshwater in which certain types of snails that carry schistosomes are living. Freshwater becomes contaminated by Schistosoma eggs when infected people urinate or defecate in the water.
What can cause parasites in humans?
Other possible causes leading to intestinal worm infection include:
- consumption of contaminated water.
- consumption of contaminated soil.
- contact with contaminated feces.
- poor sanitation.
- poor hygiene.
