Filaria – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Filaria – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that we should be informed about. In addition, Filaria is a parasitic infection that is transmitted by blood-feeding organisms, mainly mosquitoes. There are 8 types of nematodes that cause Filaria . Most cases are caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti. Filaria is not fatal; However, it can produce permanent and harmful impairment of the lymphatic system.

Drugs like diethylcarbamazine help treat the condition effectively, but leg swelling is pretty obvious and ugly. In addition, it is advisable to protect yourself against the mosquitoes that spread Filaria  by using repellents and also avoid breeding mosquitoes with better hygiene and cleanliness.

Main Symptoms and Signs of Filaria:  The typical symptom of Filaria is swelling and edema with thickening of the skin as well as underlying tissues. Filaria or gross leg swelling develops when parasites lodge in the lymphatic system. It generally afflicts the lower extremities of the body. On the other hand, the arms, breasts and scrotum can also be affected. The symptoms of subcutaneous Filaria are:

• Rash
• macules
• Symptoms of serous filariasis.
• Rash
• pain in the abdomen
• joint pain

Main Causes of Filaria:  Most cases of Filaria are caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti; And Aedes, Culex or Anopheles mosquitoes spread the infection. When an infected mosquito bites a healthy person, the larvae travel to the lymphatic system. Here, the larvae develop into adult worms and remain for several months to years. After about a year, the microfilariae molt and then mature into adult worms.

The adult produces more larvae. The larvae circulate in the peripheral blood usually at night, and are sucked up by mosquitoes during a bite. The same cycle is then repeated in another healthy individual; Transmitting the infection.

Diagnosis of Filaria:  Knowing that a person lives or has spent time in a country where Filaria poses a risk can help a doctor diagnose the condition. The doctor may also take samples of the patient’s skin and blood to look for signs of the parasite.

Treatment for Filaria:  Ideally, treatment begins as soon as possible after the patient becomes infected. Quick treatment may not be possible, however, because the disease can be difficult to detect in its early stages. When the diagnosis is made, treatment may include:

• Medication to kill young worms in the bloodstream and stop the parasite’s life cycle (although the drug cannot kill adult worms)
• Exercising and moving swollen limbs to improve lymph flow
• Bed rest and compression bandages to treat swelling
• Medications to reduce swelling and discomfort
• Hospitalization and intravenous* (IV) antibiotics for secondary infections that may appear because the damaged lymphatic system is less able to help the body defend against infectious agents
• Surgical treatment for deformities such as enlarged limbs and scrotum, sometimes with various procedures and skin grafts* to correct cases of disfigurement