How is liver fluke transmitted?

People usually become infected by eating raw watercress or other water plants contaminated with immature parasite larvae. The young worms move through the intestinal wall, the abdominal cavity, and the liver tissue, into the bile ducts, where they develop into mature adult flukes that produce eggs.

What does Chinese liver fluke cause?

Clonorchiasis is infection with the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis. Infection is usually acquired by eating undercooked freshwater fish. Most infections are asymptomatic, but when present, symptoms include right upper quadrant abdominal pain, indigestion, fatigue, and diarrhea.

How many hosts does Chinese liver fluke have?

The life cycle is a three host-system: a snail is always the first intermediate host, a freshwater fish is normally the second intermediate host, and there is a wide range of definitive hosts. C. sinensis is hermaphroditic therefore every single sexually mature fluke will produce eggs.

What is the life cycle of the Chinese liver fluke?

Following ingestion, the young flukes migrate to the liver, through which they tunnel, causing considerable tissue damage. The infection is patent about 10-12 weeks after the metacercariae are ingested. The whole cycle takes 18-20 weeks.

How to get rid of liver flukes?

A medication called triclabendazole is commonly used to treat a liver fluke infection, as this effectively kills the liver flukes and their eggs. Other drugs, such as pain relievers, may be used to treat some of the symptoms such as pain and diarrhea.

What kills flukes in humans?

If you already have a fluke infection, several medications are available to treat the condition. The most common medications used to kill flukes include tetrachloroethylene, praziquantel, and niclosamide.

What are the symptoms of liver fluke infection?

In the short term, a liver fluke infection can bring about symptoms such as: abdominal pain. fever. nausea. vomiting. diarrhea. hives. malaise.