How should primary care clinicians monitor and follow up patients after treatment for schistosomiasis to ensure resolution and detect complications?

Monitoring and follow-up of patients after treatment for schistosomiasis in primary care should focus on ensuring clinical resolution of symptoms and detecting potential complications.

Primary care clinicians should arrange follow-up appointments to assess symptom resolution and monitor for any signs of relapse or complications related to schistosomiasis, such as organ damage or secondary infections.

Although specific UK guidelines for schistosomiasis follow-up are limited, principles from infectious disease follow-up (e.g., tuberculosis) suggest that routine clinic visits after treatment completion are not always necessary unless the patient is at increased risk of relapse or complications.

Patients should be educated to promptly report any recurrence of symptoms or new health issues that may indicate complications.

Where complications are suspected, such as hepatic or urinary tract involvement, appropriate investigations and specialist referrals should be considered.

Given the potential for chronic organ damage, primary care clinicians should maintain vigilance for late manifestations and coordinate care with specialists as needed.