bilharziasis

9.9

A disease caused by tiny water worms that infect people in tropical areas

noun
/ˌbɪl.hɑːrˈzaɪ.əs/

Specialized

: bilharziasis

The doctor diagnosed the patient with bilharziasis after detecting Schistosoma eggs in a blood sample.

Examples

Preventing bilharziasis requires improving water sanitation and reducing contact with infested water sources.
The symptoms of bilharziasis can vary significantly.
Many rural communities in Africa face health challenges due to high rates of bilharziasis.
Many regions in Africa struggle with bilharziasis!
Many rural communities in Africa face health challenges due to high rates of bilharziasis.
Preventing bilharziasis requires improving water sanitation and reducing contact with infested water sources.
The doctor diagnosed the patient with bilharziasis after detecting Schistosoma eggs in a blood sample.

Synonyms

schistosomiasis

vsbilharziasis

Specialized

1 9.9

A disease caused by small worms that enter the body through warm freshwater

is the alternative nontechnical name used in other contexts

bilharzia

vsbilharziasis

Specialized

1 9.9

A disease from small worms that enter the body in fresh water

is the more formal medical form of that name

helminthiasis

vsbilharziasis

Specialized

9.9

A disease caused by worms that live inside the body

is a specific Schistosoma infection, not any worm infestation

Surface Forms

bilharziasis singular

bilharziases plural

Morphology

bilharziasis = Bilharz (opaque) = bilharz + iasis

Formed from the eponym 'Bilharz' plus the medical suffix '-iasis'; the eponym and medical suffix are unfamiliar to most learners, so the meaning ('a disease') is not derivable from knowledge of common English morphemes.

Etymology

Bilharziasis is named after the German doctor Bilharz, who first found the parasitic worms that cause the illness. The ending -iasis means 'disease', so the name means 'Bilharz's disease', which is why it refers to the illness caused by those worms.