Visiting Africa has always been James Michael’s dream, and just when he achieved it, an unforeseen incident emerged.
Upon traveling from Zambia to Zimbabwe, James went swimming in Lake
Malawi in Southern Africa with friends but had no idea a parasitic worm
had burrow itself into his manhood.
During his traveling from Zambia to Zimbabwe, James Micheal had no idea a parasitic worm had burrow itself into his manhood.
James Michael/SWNS.com
The worm laid eggs inside him, which later resulted in an attack on
the spine and his immune system diving down. Over a year after his trip,
James observed a loss of feeling in his legs, insomnia, and found it
challenging to do daily activities, including walking up the stairs.
He went swimming in Lake Malawi in Southern Africa with his friends. The worm laid eggs inside him, resulting in an attack on the spine and his immune system.
James Michael/SWNS.com
James from Kensington, London, eventually got hospitalized for three
months while doctors at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases fought the
infection. He was given a 30% chance of full recovery as he suffered
digestive issues and used crutches for nearly four months. Accordingly,
James was placed on a six-month steroid course, having been informed of
contracting schistosomiasis, also known as Bilharzia.
James from Kensington, London, got hospitalized for three months while doctors at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases fought the infection.
James Michael/SWNS.com
“When I look back at the photos from my time in Africa, it’s weird to think that’s where the parasite crawled up my penis,” James told The Sun. He was given a medication called Praziquantel, which killed the worms. He added: “That killed the infection, but I was left debilitated. They told me there was a 30% chance I would make a full recovery – 10 years from now. It was a horrible feeling, I felt completely helpless, and the odds weren’t good. I couldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anybody.”He was given a 30% chance of full recovery and experienced a severe acne break on his back and arms caused by steroids and diarrhea.
James Michael/SWNS.com
James had to use a catheter during his recovery as he couldn’t go to
the toilet properly and even had a breakout of severe acne on his back
and arms caused by steroids and diarrhea. Bilharzia is recognized as an
infection caused by a parasitic worm that lives in fresh water in
tropical regions.
“It was a horrible feeling, I felt completely helpless, and the odds weren’t good. I couldn’t wish what I’ve been through on anybody.”
James Michael/SWNS.com
The parasite can be mainly found throughout Africa but equally lives
in South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Asia. Its
infection can, however, be easily treated with a short course of
medicine.