The man from the stars: a narrative approach to neglected diseases

Abstract

In this narrative medicine essay, a young migrant suffering from schistosomiasis unveils his story and his journey from Africa to the Alps. The hardships of a long voyage and the clinical history of the disease are described, combining the form of narrative medicine with a brief overview of the subject. Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by a parasitic worm that lives in freshwater in subtropical and tropical regions. Such an infestation is debilitating but easy to diagnose and treat. Therefore, schistosomiasis should be suspected and recognized by doctors in every setting, as the number of international migrants, including those from sub-Saharan Africa, is growing rapidly.

Keywords

• Schistosomiasis
• narrative medicine
• internal medicine
• tropical medicine
• neglected diseases