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 parasite causes lymphedema?
What are the signs and symptoms of lymphatic filariasis? Most infected people are asymptomatic and will never develop clinical symptoms, despite the fact that the parasite damages the lymph system. A small percentage of persons will develop lymphedema or, in men, a swelling of the scrotum called hydrocele .
What is the main cause of filarial infection?
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.
Is filaria completely curable?
Since there is no known vaccine or cure for lymphatic filariasis, the most effective method that exists to control the disease is prevention.
What is filarial antigen test?
Test Usage: This assay helps in the detection of Microfilaria in the peripheral blood in both lymphatic and non-lymphatic filariasis.
What is microfilaria test?
A microfilaria test involves examination of the blood smear to identify the existence of microfilariae in blood. Usually, a microfilariae blood test is conducted at night to coincide with the appearance of microfilariae.
What are the preventive measures for elephantiasis?
Prevention may be possible by: avoiding mosquitoes or taking precautions to reduce your risk for mosquito bites. getting rid of mosquito breeding areas. using mosquito nets.
What is lymphedema tarda?
Lymphedema tarda is defined as primary lymphedema occurring after the age of 35. The legs are most often affected, but the arms and other areas may be affected as well. Hereditary lymphedema may progress and, in some cases, may improve over time. Obesity makes management of lymphedema more difficult.
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.
Can microfilaria be cured?
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is the drug of choice in the United States. The drug kills the microfilariae and some of the adult worms. DEC has been used world-wide for more than 50 years.
How is Falaria treated?
The main goal of treatment of an infected person is to kill the adult worm. Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), which is both microfilaricidal and active against the adult worm, is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis. The late phase of chronic disease is not affected by chemotherapy.