M63.18: Myositis in protozoal and parasitic infections classified elsewhere Other

You have been infected by fluke worms that cause the disease called bilharzia.

The worms live in fresh water, particularly in warm regions of Africa, Asia and America. Someone who goes into water like that can have the worm larvae get into their body via their skin. The skin may then turn red and itchy in those places for a short time.

A few weeks after being infected, the person can get a high temperature, diarrhea or a cough, for example. An itchy rash on the skin is also typical. The liver and some lymph nodes may become enlarged.

The worm larvae develop into worms in the body. If the worms lay eggs, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed. The symptoms depend on which areas of the body the illness has affected. The symptoms caused by the eggs usually appear several months after becoming infected, and they may persist for a long time.

You have become infected by worms that particularly develop in the blood vessels of the bowel and the liver. When the bowel is inflamed, the person may have stomach pains or have blood in their stool, for example.

Bilharzia has caused you to have muscle inflammation in your head, neck or upper body. When you move inflamed muscles, or press on them, it can be painful. If the muscles remain inflamed for a long time, they may also get weaker or cramp up.