How to Treat Elephantiasis Effectively!
How to Treat Elephantiasis Effectively is one of the best alternatives for those who suffer from this increasingly common problem. In addition, filariasis, filariasis or Elephantiasis is a parasitic disease, considered an infectious tropical disease , caused by filarial nematodes of the superfamily Filarioidea, also known as Filariae.
The best-known symptomatic form of the disease is lymphatic filariasis, popularly called Elephantiasis in reference to the swelling and thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, which was the first, among infectious diseases transmitted by insects, to be discovered.
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Causes of Elephantiasis: Elephantiasis is caused by W. bancrofti, transmitted through the bite of some mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegyti, Anapholes and Mansonia. The inoculated parasite promotes an inflammatory reaction in the lymphatic vessels, causing the affected limb to become very dilated – similar to an elephant’s foot. The causative agent multiplies within the person, generating symptoms that evolve slowly and can confuse the diagnosis.
Elephantiasis forms : Elephantiasis has some variations and knowing them is very important. Then check out the forms of Elephantiasis:
- Filariasis of the Legs: The infection starts on the dorsum of the foot and reaches the knee. The skin has a thickened appearance, with ulcerations and swellings that resemble an elephant’s foot.
- Filariasis of the Testis and Penis: It is a common form of filariasis, which is characterized by the exaggerated enlargement of these organs.
- Filariasis of the Arms, Breasts or Vulva: Infection of these organs is rare, but when they occur, they develop characteristics similar to those of filariasis of the legs .
Diagnosis of Elephantiasis: Diagnosis can be made through clinical observation of symptoms, through blood tests, body fluids or infected tissues that detect the presence of parasite larvae. Filariasis is usually diagnosed late because it is a disease that evolves slowly over the years.
Symptoms of Elephantiasis: There may be asymptomatic individuals. Symptomatic cases present the following symptoms: acute recurrent fever , asthenia, muscle pain , photophobia, hives, pericarditis, headache, lymph node infection. In more severe cases, individuals have hydrocele (accumulation of water in the testicles), chyluria (appearance of fat in the urine), exaggerated increase in limbs (hence the name Elephantiasis ), breasts, genitals and asthma.
Transmission of Elephantiasis: When biting the individual, the larva present in the mosquito, or in the fly, is transmitted and settles in the lymphatic current, generating the symptoms of the disease . The infected individual does not pass the disease on to others, but if a mosquito bites him, he can contaminate himself and others with his bite, even if this individual has not yet manifested all the symptoms of the disease .
Treatment of Elephantiasis: Treatment is done with medication, according to the clinical manifestations resulting from infection by the adult worms and depends on the type and degree of injury that these worms have caused and their clinical consequences.
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Medicines for Elephantiasis: The most commonly used medicine for the treatment of filariasis is Ivermectin. However, only a doctor can tell you which drug is most suitable for you, as well as the correct dosage and duration of treatment. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter and NEVER self-medicate. Do not stop using the drug without consulting a doctor first, and if you take it more than once or in much larger amounts than prescribed, follow the instructions on the package insert.