What is the major symptom of schistosomiasis?

The major symptom of schistosomiasis is hematuria, which refers to the presence of blood in the urine. This condition is particularly associated with Schistosoma haematobium, one of the main species causing human schistosomiasis. Hematuria occurs due to schistosome eggs being trapped in the bladder wall or urinary tract, leading to inflammation, ulceration, and eventually bleeding. This symptom is critical in diagnosing the disease, especially in endemic areas where schistosomiasis is prevalent.

Other symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and itching can occur in schistosomiasis but are not as prominent or distinguishing as hematuria. Diarrhea is more commonly associated with intestinal schistosomiasis caused by species such as Schistosoma mansoni, but it does not universally describe the infection across all species. Fever might occur as part of the immune response to infection, but it is not a defining symptom of schistosomiasis. Itching can be related to the initial exposure to the cercariae, the larval form of the parasite, but again, it is not a major symptom of the chronic condition. Thus, hematuria stands out as the hallmark symptom indicative of schistosomiasis, especially in cases involving