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Elephantiasis is a condition characterized by gross enlargement of an area of the body, especially the limbs. Other areas commonly affected include the external genitals. Elephantiasis is caused by obstruction of the lymphatic system, which results in the accumulation of a fluid called lymph in the affected areas.
- Can elephantiasis be cured?
- What causes elephantiasis symptoms?
- Can elephantiasis causes death?
- What kind of mosquito causes elephantiasis?
- Is elephantiasis permanent?
- Is elephantiasis found in India?
- What is elephantiasis look like?
- Is there a vaccine for elephantiasis?
- How is filariasis caused?
- Who is most affected by elephantiasis?
- Can elephantiasis be amputated?
- What is the best treatment for filariasis?
- Is filariasis painful?
- What should not eat in filaria?
- Is elephantiasis genetic?
Can elephantiasis be cured?
There are medicines to treat elephantiasis. Your doctor may give you one called diethylcarbamazine (DEC). You'll take it once a year. It will kill the microscopic worms in your bloodstream.
What causes elephantiasis symptoms?
It's caused by parasitic worms, and can spread from person to person through mosquitoes. Elephantiasis causes swelling of the scrotum, legs, or breasts. Elephantiasis is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD). It's more common in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, including Africa and Southeast Asia.
Can elephantiasis causes death?
Conclusion. Elephantiasis is most often caused by filariasis, a tropical disease. Non-filarial elephantiasis can be the result of a chronic erysipelas infection which can lead to sepsis, multiple organ failure and death if not treated in time.
What kind of mosquito causes elephantiasis?
A wide range of mosquitoes can transmit the parasite, depending on the geographic area. In Africa, the most common vector is Anopheles and in the Americas, it is Culex quinquefasciatus. Aedes and Mansonia can transmit the infection in the Pacific and in Asia.
Is elephantiasis permanent?
Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability.
Is elephantiasis found in India?
The clinical manifestations of LF may vary from one endemic area to another. Generally, the most common clinical form of the disease is hydrocele, with lymphoedema and elephantiasis occurs less commonly. In India and neighbouring countries, both hydrocele and lymphoedema are common.
What is elephantiasis look like?
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.
Is there a vaccine for elephantiasis?
There is no vaccine and no treatment, only these drugs to prevent further transmission of the disease. Of all the people in the world in need of this preventative treatment, over 40% of them live in India.
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.
Who is most affected by elephantiasis?
People living for a long time in tropical or sub-tropical areas where the disease is common are at the greatest risk for infection. Short-term tourists have a very low risk. Programs to eliminate lymphatic filariasis are under way in more than 66 countries.
Can elephantiasis be amputated?
Figure 3: A severe case of Elephantiasis in the left leg. Note the extreme swelling and the warty, hard skin. This condition is extremely painful and may eventually have to be amputated.
What is the best treatment for filariasis?
Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), which is both microfilaricidal and active against the adult worm, is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis.
Is filariasis painful?
The scrotum may become abnormally swollen and painful. Bancroftian filariasis affects both the legs and the genitals. The Malayan variety affects the legs below the knees.
What should not eat in filaria?
Light diet consisting of older jowar, wheat, horse gram, green gram, drum stick, bitter gourd, radish, garlic and older red rice is beneficial. Milk and products, fish, jaggery, sweets and contaminated water must be avoided.
Is elephantiasis genetic?
Genital elephantiasis, end result of lymphogranuloma venereum. Proteus syndrome, a genetic disorder best known as the condition possibly suffered by Joseph Merrick, the so-called "Elephant Man."
