First and foremost, did he or does he smoke? Does he have asthma? If he is lying down all day, he needs to walk.

Lying down can and will cause fluid on the lungs. The respiratory dept should be doing therapy on him, he needs O2 at all times. Now, here's the biggie. Schistosomiasis also known as bilharzia or snail fever is a parasitic disease. It has a low mortality rate. I is a chronic illness that can damage interanl organs and in this case, the liver. It is also associated with increased frishs for bladder cancer in adults. It is the second most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease after malaria. This disease si most commonly found in Asia, Africa, and South America. Especially in areas where the water contains numerous freshwater snails which my carry the parasite. So in your study, ask the patient if he has visited any of these countries. Not all species affect humans. Those that do are Schistosoma mansoni and schistosoma intercalatum which affects the intestines. Another human form is schistosoma haematabium' causes urinary schistosomiasis This disease is found in tropical countries in Africa, the Caribbean, eastern South America , Southeast Asia and in the Middle East. The most common way of getting this disease is by wading, swimming in lakes, ponds or other bodies of water that contain the contaminated snails. Here are some of the symptoms that can also cause the other problems and be misdiagnosed. Abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, extremely high white blood cell count, fever, fatigue, hepatosplenomegaly-enlargement of both the liver and the spleen. Occasionally central nervous system lesions occur; which may be caused by ectopic eggs in the brain and lesions around ectopic eggs in the sinal cord from S. mansoni and S haematobbium infections. The newly transformed schistosomulum may remain in the skin for 2 days before locating a post capillary venule' from here the disease travels to the lungs where it undergoes further developmental changes necessary for subsequent migration to the liver. 8-10 days after penetration of the skin, the parasite migrates to the liver sinusoids Parasite mature in 6-8 wks, at which time they begin to produce eggs. There is so much information that I just can't write all of it. however, you can see why this person is in ICU, why he is having respiratory problems. All this from snails So, I'm going to give you the web site OK. As a nurse, I know how important these diagnoses are and boy, they gave you a beauty. Good luck. Here's the web site. Wikipedia.org/wiki/schistosomiasis. All I did was put in schistosomaiasis and got a whole bunch of web sites. You may want to do that instead. Phew, I'm pooped and have writer's cramp Hope you do good. Im having my DUTY as a student nurse in the ICU of our local hospital.and i just need everyone's help. i need this prioritization for my nursing diagnosis. my patient's DIAGNOSIS are 1. Acute Respiratory failure related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2. Decompensated Liver disease secondary to schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis: Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia (bill-HAR-zi-a), is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Infection with Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, ... more about Schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis: Parasitic fluke infection in developing countries. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Schistosomiasis is available below.

Symptoms of Schistosomiasis
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Skin rash Itchy skin Fever Chills Cough more symptoms...

Treatments for Schistosomiasis

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Anthelmintic drugs more treatments...

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Schistosomiasis:
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Bladder & Urinary Health: Home Testing: o Home Bladder Testing o Home Urinary Tract Infection Tests

Wrongly Diagnosed with Schistosomiasis?

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Misdiagnosis of Schistosomiasis Failure to diagnose Schistosomiasis Hidden causes of Schistosomiasis (possibly wrongly diagnosed) Undiagnosed: Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis: Related Patient Stories

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Bilharzia

Schistosomiasis: Deaths
Read more about Deaths and Schistosomiasis.

Types of Schistosomiasis
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Cutaneous Schistosomiasis Eastern Schistosomiasis Schistosomiasis japonica Urinary schistosomiasis

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Hepatic schistosomiasis more types...

See full list of 15 Types of Schistosomiasis

Diagnostic Tests for Schistosomiasis

Test for Schistosomiasis in your own home
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Eggs in urine Eggs in stool Biopsy

Schistosomiasis: Complications
Review possible medical complications related to Schistosomiasis:
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Liver damage Intestine damage (see Digestive symptoms) Lung damage Bladder damage (see Bladder symptoms) Bladder stones (type of Urinary stones) more complications... .

Disease Topics Related To Schistosomiasis

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Schistosomiasis:
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Bilharzia Schistosoma hematobium Schistosoma mansoni Schistosoma japonicum Schistosoma intercalatum more related diseases...

Medical Textbooks Online about Schistosomiasis

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Schistosomiasis from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Schistosomiasis. Free access (no registration): read all online book sections about Schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
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Urinary & Bladder Disorders -- serious medical disorders that may be undiagnosed: o Incontinence -- Undiagnosed o Overactive Bladder Syndrome -- Undiagnosed o Interstitial Cystitis -- Undiagnosed o Prostate Disorders -- Undiagnosed

Misdiagnosis and Schistosomiasis

Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely to cause some level of diarrhea in patients. The reason is that antibiotics kill off not only "bad" bacteria, but can also kill the "good" bacteria in the gut....read more Interstitial cystitis an under-diagnosed bladder condition: The medical condition of interstitial cystitic is a bladder condition that can be misdiagnosed as various conditions such as overactive bladder or other...read more Chronic liver disease often undiagnosed: One study reported that 50% of patients with a chronic liver disease remain undiagnosed by their primary physician....read more Read more about Misdiagnosis and Schistosomiasis

Research about Schistosomiasis

Visit our research pages for current research about Schistosomiasis treatments.

Clinical Trials for Schistosomiasis

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers. Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Schistosomiasis include:
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Iron Supplementation in Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths Control Programmes in Zambia - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - ferrous sulphate (drug) The Effect of Praziquantel Treatment on Schistosoma Mansoni Morbidity and ReInfection Along Lake Victoria, Uganda - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - praziquantel Urinary Schistosomiasis Infection - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

more trials...

Prevention of Schistosomiasis
Prevention information for Schistosomiasis has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Schistosomiasis.
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Snail control Avoid contaminated water Avoid water contamined by sewage more preventions...

Statistics for Schistosomiasis

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Medical statistics for Schistosomiasis Prevalence and incidence statistics for Schistosomiasis Death and Mortality statistics for Schistosomiasis Society statistics for Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis: Broader Related Topics

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Parasitic Conditions Fluke infections Bladder conditions Urinary disorders Liver conditions more types...

Types of Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis Message Boards

Related forums and medical stories:
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Urinary Conditions (187) o Constant UTI's o UTI won't go away! o urine with a strange odor o Symptoms of UTI but no 'infection' o Frequent Peeing at night o More user stories

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Schistosomiasis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:
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I can not get a diagnosis. Please help. Tell us your medical story. Share your misdiagnosis story. What is the best treatment for this? See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia (bill-HAR-zi-a), is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Infection with Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium, and S. japonicum causes illness in humans. Although schistosomiasis is not found in the United States, 200 million people are infected worldwide. (Source: excerpt from Schistosomiasis: DPD)

Definitions of Schistosomiasis:
An infestation with or a resulting infection caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma; common in the tropics and Far East; symptoms depend on the part of the body infected - (Source - WordNet 2.1) Schistosomiasis is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Schistosomiasis, or a subtype of Schistosomiasis, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population. Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Schistosomiasis as a "rare disease". Source - Orphanet

Treatment List for Schistosomiasis

The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Schistosomiasis includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
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Anthelmintic drugs

The first step in getting correct treatment is to get a correct diagnosis. Differential diagnosis list for Schistosomiasis may include:

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Amebiasis Bacterial dysentery viral hepatitis typhoid fever

Drugs and Medications used to treat Schistosomiasis:

Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment or change in treatment plans. Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Schistosomiasis include:
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Praziquantel Cesol Cisticid Biltricide

Discussion of treatments for Schistosomiasis:

Safe and effective drugs are available for the treatment of schistosomiasis. You will be given pills to take for 1-2 days. (Source: excerpt from Schistosomiasis: DPD)

Fever: Treatment (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

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Initial treatment of fever includes antipyretics (e.g., acetaminophen, NSAIDs) y Infection should be treated with appropriate antimicrobial therapy and tailored as antibiotic sensitivities are identified Many cases of deep-seated infection or abscess require percutaneous or surgical drainage Fever due to malignancy will usually regress with surgical debulking, chemotherapy, and/or radiation directed at the primary tumor Rheumatologic disorders may require NSAIDs, steroids, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, or other cytotoxic agents Dantrolene for malignant hypothermia

Rash with Fever: Treatment (In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

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Supportive management and thorough evaluation for multisystem disease is imperative in this patient subset. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for RMSF, while ceftriaxone is commonly used for meningococcal therapy; because these two diseases can present similarly and rapidly evolve, many clinicians empirically treat with both of these antibiotics until the diagnosis is confirmed Unfortunately, a complete discussion of fever and rash is far beyond the scope of this brief excerpt; the importance of rapid and accurate assessment of every patient presenting with this complaint cannot be overemphasized; rule out the most serious diagnoses first, then a watch and wait approach may be considered

Fever Cyclic: Treatment (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

PFAPA Single dose prednisone with the onset of symptoms Prophylactic cimetidine and tonsillectomy have been tried to prevent recurrences y Cyclic neutropenia Life-long therapy with GCSF decreases risk of infection Familial Mediterranean fever Daily colchicine to prevent attacks and amyloidosis Hyper-IgD Prednisone and colchicine have been used Even without treatment, attacks decrease with age TRAPS Prednisone and etanercept have been reported to be effective
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Fever Recurrent: Treatment (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

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Repeated viral illnesses Reassurance of the parents Advice on antipyretics Encourage fluid intake Limit of sick exposure if possible UTI Antibiotics based on bacteria and sensitivity Prophylactic antibiotics if underlying cause is present Bacterial infections: Bacteria-specific antibiotic JRA, Behet, or IBD Prednisone or immunosuppressive medications TRAPS Prednisone and etanercept Familial cold urticaria and Muckle-Wells syndrome Prednisone may be used If amyloidosis is present, colchicine may be required

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Fever Unknown Origin: Treatment (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
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Specific treatment once diagnosis is made Empiric treatment with antibiotics is to be considered only for critically ill patients Empiric steroids may be justified only if Still disease is suspected Anti-inflammatory agents are sometimes used for a limited period of time and subsequently the patient is observed for recurrence of the fever Cessation of offending drugs

Fever Acute: Treatment (In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

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Treating febrile episodes is common despite substantial evidence that fever is more beneficial than harmful; exception is patient with history of febrile seizures Antipyretics are relatively safe drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and reduce hypothalamic set point to normal Acetaminophen is safest antipyretic for young children Aspirin must be avoided (risk of Reye syndrome) NSAIDs are potent antipyretics and have antiinflammatory effects Physical methods (cooling blankets, lukewarm baths) may be counterproductive if not combined with an antipyretic; alcohol baths are not recommended Most viral syndromes are self-limited, requiring only antipyretics and increased fluid intake for risk of dehydration Empiric treatment with antibiotics and hospitalization recommended only in neonates and critically ill patients

Fever: Emergency interventions (Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)) If you detect a fever higher than 106 F, take the patients other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a cooling blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patients rectal temperature. Schistosomiasis: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) The treatment of choice is the anthelmintic drug praziquantel. Between 3 and 6 months after treatment, the patient will need to be examined again. If this checkup detects any living eggs, treatment may be resumed. With acute infection, corticosteroids may be ordered. Colorado tick fever: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

After correct removal of the tick, supportive treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, combating secondary infection, and maintaining fluid balance. Colorado tick fever needs to be differentiated from Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Lassa fever: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) Treatment of Lassa fever includes I.V. ribavirin, I.V. colloids for shock, analgesics for pain, and antipyretics for fever. Infusion of immune plasma from patients who have recovered from Lassa fever may be useful, but test results on the benefit of this type of therapy are inconclusive. Relapsing fever: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) Doxycycline or erythromycin is the treatment of choice and should continue for 4 to 5 days. In cases of drug allergy or resistance, penicillin G may be administered as an alternative. However, neither drug should be given at the height of a severe febrile attack because it may cause JarischHerxheimer reaction, resulting in malaise, rigors, leukopenia, flushing, fever, tachycardia, rising respiration rate, and hypotension. This reaction, which is caused by toxic by-products from massive spirochete destruction, can mimic septic shock and may prove fatal. Antimicrobial therapy should be postponed until the fever subsides. Until then, supportive therapy (consisting of parenteral fluids and electrolytes) should be given. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)) Effective management eradicates the streptococcal infection, relieves symptoms, and prevents recurrence, reducing the chance of permanent cardiac damage. During the acute phase, treatment includes penicillin, sulfadiazine, or erythromycin. Salicylates such as aspirin relieve fever and minimize joint swelling and pain; if carditis is present or salicylates fail to relieve pain and inflammation, corticosteroids may be used. Supportive treatment requires strict bed rest for about 5 weeks during the acute phase with active carditis, followed by a progressive increase in physical activity, depending on clinical and laboratory findings and the response to treatment. After the acute phase subsides, low-dose antibiotics may be used to prevent recurrence. Such preventive treatment usually continues for 5 years or until age 21 (whichever is longer). Heart failure necessitates continued bed rest and diuretics. Severe mitral or aortic valve dysfunction that causes persistent heart failure requires corrective valvular surgery, including commissurotomy (separation of the adherent, thickened leaflets of the mitral valve), valvuloplasty (inflation of a balloon within a valve), or valve replacement (with prosthetic valve). Such surgery is seldom necessary before late adolescence. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Treatment (Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

Treatment requires careful removal of the tick and administration of antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol or tetracycline (preferably doxycycline), until 3 days after the fever subsides. Treatment also includes symptomatic measures and, in DIC, heparin and platelet transfusion. Fever [Pyrexia]: Emergency interventions (Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)) If you detect a fever higher than 106 F (41.1 C), take the patients other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a cooling blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patients rectal temperature. Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: Treatment (Handbook of Diseases) Effective management eradicates the streptococcal infection, relieves symptoms, and prevents recurrence, reducing the chance of permanent cardiac damage.
Treatment in acute phase

During the acute phase, treatment includes low doses of antibiotics, such as penicillin, sulfadiazine, or erythro-mycin. Salicylates, such as aspirin, can help relieve fever and minimize joint swelling and pain; if carditis is present or the salicylate fails to relieve pain and inflammation, corticosteroids may be used. Supportive treatment requires strict bed rest for about 5 weeks during the acute phase with active carditis, followed by a progressive increase in physical activity, depending on clinical and laboratory findings and the patients response to treatment.
Preventive treatment

After the acute phase subsides, the patient is maintained on low-dose antibiotic therapy, especially during the first 3 to 5 years after the initial episode of rheumatic fever, to prevent recurrence. Such preventive treatment usually continues for 5 to 10 years.
Surgery and other measures

Heart failure necessitates continued bed rest and diuretic therapy. Severe mitral or aortic valvular dysfunction causing persistent heart failure requires corrective valvular surgery, including commissurotomy (separation of the adherent, thickened leaflets of the mitral valve), valvuloplasty (inflation of a balloon within a valve), or valve replacement (with a prosthetic valve). Corrective valvular surgery is rarely necessary before late adolescence. Fever: Nursing considerations (Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

Regularly monitor the patients temperature, and record it on a chart for easy follow-up of the temperature curve. Provide increased fluid and nutritional intake. When administering a prescribed antipyretic, minimize resultant chills and diaphoresis by following a regular dosage schedule. Promote patient comfort by maintaining a stable room temperature and providing frequent changes of bedding and clothing. Prepare the patient for laboratory tests, such as complete blood count and cultures of blood, urine, sputum, and wound drainage.

Patient teaching
If the patient hasnt been admitted to the facility, ask him to measure his oral temperature at home and record the time and value. Explain that fever is a response to an underlying condition that plays an important role in fighting infection. For this reason, advise him not to take an antipyretic until his body temperature reaches 101 F (38.3 C). Discuss signs and symptoms related to dehydration and when to notify the physician. Fever: Emergency Actions (Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses) If you detect a fever higher than 106 F (41.1 C), take the patients other vital signs and determine his level of consciousness (LOC). Administer an antipyretic and begin rapid cooling measures: Apply ice packs to the axillae and groin, give tepid sponge baths, or apply a hypothermia blanket. These methods may evoke a cooling response; to prevent this, constantly monitor the patients rectal temperature. Fever [Pyrexia]: Nursing considerations (Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms) Regularly monitor and record the patient's temperature. Provide increased fluid and nutritional intake. When administering a prescribed antipyretic, minimize chills and diaphoresis by following a regular dosage schedule. Promote patient comfort by maintaining a stable room temperature and providing frequent changes of bedding and clothing. For high fevers, initiate treatment with a hypothermia blanket. Prepare the patient for laboratory tests, such as complete blood count and cultures of blood, urine, sputum, and wound drainage.

Patient teaching
Instruct the patient about the proper way to take an oral temperature at home.

Emphasize the importance of increased fluid intake. Discuss the proper use of antipyretics and antibiotics. Teach signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention.