What is Filariasis /Elephantiasis its prevention and treatment

 Filariasis / Elephantiasis

 

 Filarisis is caused by thread like Worms nematodes parasites are transported form person to person via mosquito bites.

 Type of filariasis:

(1):- Lymphatic filariasis.

(2):- Subcutaneous Filariasis.

(3):- Serous (abdominal) cavity filariasis.

Sing and symptoms:

(a):- Edema with thickening of skin and underlying tissue.

(b):- Wuchereria Bancrofti affect the legs, arms, breast,scrotum etc.

(c):- In lymphatic filariasis , worms infect lymphatic system and causes  enlargement of lymph vessels and nodes.

 this is elephantiasis i.e. limbs  are swollen like legs of elephant.

(d):- lymphedema i.e. accumulation of lymph fluid in tissue causing swelling.

 (e):- Hydrocele i.e. testis are enlarged due to accumulation of lymphatic fluid in testis.

Mode of transmission:

"Wuchereria Bancrofti" is transmitted to human body by female "Culex mosquito" 

The larva escape  mosquito body and arrived on  the human skin penetrate the skin undergo to moulting before they become adult and settle in the lymphatic system. The incubation period of filariasis can be as long as 8 to 16 month.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Use of "diethylcarbamazine citrate" Twice in a day for three weeks and thereafter for five days every six months is effective against filarial  worms.

 Prevention and Control:

Avoid mosquito with by using mosquito nets and insect replacement of mosquitoes is essentiads for control of filariasis 

Golden words:- "prevention is better than cure"