Farewell to my parasite passengers!

  Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom
Thursday, February 23, 2006

Got a phone call this morning informing me I have Schistosomiasis.

There is a parasite party in my liver!
Even better - to get to this stage, I had to diagnose myself and ask for the specific blood test.
Go me! I am learning something in my lectures after all...

But, as joyous as this occasion is, I'm afraid it is time to say goodbye. Bring out the Praziquantel!

[Or not. It's now mid-March and still no sign of the treatment. Apparently Praziquantel isn't licenced here in the UK, so getting hold of it is proving difficult. Yey doctors!]



NB: Been swimming in the Rift Valley Lakes? Think you might have schisto [also called Bilharzia or Billy]?
Get it checked out. G'waan, it's only a little blood test. If you still need motivation after reading the link above, look at what it can do:




Or, imagine a worm. Two worms in fact, intertwined, permanently mating.
Nice, no? Now imagine them in giant plush form running behind you, shouting, "Billy's gonna get yoo!"

No, seriously. Get it sorted while you can, people.