Katayama fever: A cause of fever in children returning from the tropics

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a common parasitic infection especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, but is also present in Asia and South-America. With the increase in the number of Europeans travelling to endemic areas, more patients with acute infections would be expected. A case of a four year old boy with symptoms of Katayama fever, as acute schistosomiasis is called, is presented. Diagnostic procedures and treatment is described. It is important for clinicians to being able to recognize this disease entity and to advise travellers to avoid fresh water in endemic areas in order not to put them selves at risk of the infection.

Keywords

Acute schistosomiasis - Katayama fever - travelling - children