What is a major symptom of elephantiasis?

The main symptom of elephantiasis is gross enlargement and swelling of an area of the body because of the accumulation of fluid. The arms and legs are the areas most often affected. An entire arm or leg may swell to several times its normal size resembling the thick, round appearance of an elephant's leg.

1. What is the cause of elephantiasis?
2. What are the symptoms of filariasis?
3. What is the major vector of elephantiasis?
4. What are the major issues associated with filariasis?
5. How is filariasis caused?
6. What is the main cause of contagious disease?
7. How is elephantiasis diagnosed?
8. What is schistosomiasis disease?
9. Is elephantiasis viral or bacterial?
10. What causes swelling of lower limbs in patients suffering from filariasis?
11. How does elephantiasis affect the lymphatic system?
12. What causes yellow fever?
13. How does filariasis affect your body?
14. What is lymph edema?
15. What parasitic worm causes elephantiasis?

What is the cause of elephantiasis?

Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos.

What are the symptoms of filariasis?

Symptoms may include itchy skin (pruritis), abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle pain (myalgias), and/or areas of swelling under the skin. Other symptoms may include an abnormally enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), and inflammation in the affected organs.

What is the major vector of elephantiasis?

People are primarily infected with the disease through mosquito bites. In Africa, the Anopheles mosquito is the main vector. The female Anopheles mosquito transmits microscopic filarial parasitic worms (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia timori and Brugia malayi) from one person to another during its feeding process.

What are the major issues associated with filariasis?

People with the disease can suffer from lymphedema and elephantiasis and in men, swelling of the scrotum, called hydrocele. Lymphatic filariasis is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide. Communities frequently shun and reject women and men disfigured by the disease.

How is filariasis caused?

Most cases of filariasis are caused by the parasite known as Wuchereria bancrofti. Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes serve as vector for W. bancrofti in transmission of the disease. Another parasite called Brugia malayi also causes filariasis is transmitted by the vector Mansonia and Anopheles mosquitoes.

What is the main cause of contagious disease?

Person to person.

Infectious diseases commonly spread through the direct transfer of bacteria, viruses or other germs from one person to another. This can happen when an individual with the bacterium or virus touches, kisses, or coughs or sneezes on someone who isn't infected.

How is elephantiasis diagnosed?

Your doctor can find out if you have elephantiasis by giving you a physical exam. They will ask about your medical history, and whether you've traveled to a place where you were more likely to have gotten elephantiasis. They also will have blood tests done to see if roundworms are in your bloodstream.

What is schistosomiasis disease?

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Although the worms that cause schistosomiasis are not found in the United States, people are infected worldwide. In terms of impact this disease is second only to malaria as the most devastating parasitic disease.

Is elephantiasis viral or bacterial?

Elephantiasis is a tropical disease caused by parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. The skin gets thick and hard, resembling an elephant's skin.

What causes swelling of lower limbs in patients suffering from filariasis?

The disease is caused by the adult's worms in the lymphatic vessels that present near the lymph nodes and cause local inflammation or distortion of the vessels. The surrounding tissues become enlarged in the advanced stage of the worms that obstruct the vessels.

How does elephantiasis affect the lymphatic system?

Elephantiasis is caused by obstruction of the lymphatic system, which results in the accumulation of a fluid called lymph in the affected areas. Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect the body against infection and disease.

What causes yellow fever?

The yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. The virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Yellow fever is a very rare cause of illness in U.S. travelers.

How does filariasis affect your body?

These asymptomatic infections still cause damage to the lymphatic system and the kidneys and alter the body's immune system. When lymphatic filariasis develops into chronic conditions it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling).

What is lymph edema?

Lymphedema is swelling due to build-up of lymph fluid in the body. Lymph nodes act like a drain in your sink. If the drain is clogged, the fluid cannot drain. It usually happens in the arms or legs, but can occur in other parts of the body.

What parasitic worm causes elephantiasis?

These parasites thrive in tropical regions, including parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Filarial nematodes cause several chronic human diseases, including elephantiasis and river blindness.