Filariasis is parasites that live in the lymphatic system. They cause a variety of diseases and symptoms, including enlargement of the lymph nodes and swollen arms or legs.
The parasites are primarily transmitted through the bite of infected flies or mosquitoes. Onchocerciasis, loiasis, and lymphatic filariasis are the most common.
what is Filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis is a disease caused by microscopic worms that live in the human lymph system. It’s a neglected tropical disease that affects around 120 million people in Asia, Africa and the Pacific islands.
It is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite people in endemic regions. Usually, it takes several months of repeated mosquito bites for the infection to develop.
Once you get the infection, you have millions of worms in your bloodstream that can be detected by a blood test. These worms live in your lymph system and can cause long-term problems, including abnormally enlarged body parts called lymphedema.
These worms can also cause hydrocele, which is swelling of the scrotum that can be extremely painful and lead to physical disability. Treatment with drugs called diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin can reduce symptoms.
What is the main cause of filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic infection caused by three different worms- Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori- that infect the lymphatic system of an infected person. This system is a complex network of nodes and vessels that balance fluid levels between the tissues and blood.
These worms can live in an infected person’s lymphatic system for up to 5-7 years. After they mature, they release millions of microscopic worms called microfilariae into the bloodstream.
Eventually, these microscopic worms can lodge in the lymphatic vessels and cause significant damage to the body’s tissues. Often, the worms will remain in the lymphatic system, causing chronic problems such as lymphedema (tissue swelling), elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) and hydrocele (scrotal swelling).
What are the signs of filariasis?
Infection by certain filariae can cause eye damage (onchocerciasis), elevated white blood cell counts or swelling of a limb or genital region (lymphatic filariasis).
When you are infected with Filariasis, tiny worms, called filarial nematodes, penetrate the skin and reach the lymph vessels. These worms grow into adults and then release millions of microscopic worms into the bloodstream.
Adult worms can live in the bloodstream for up to 7 years. These worms can then mate and reproduce, and release more worms into the bloodstream.
Symptoms of Filariasis can include headache, fever, pain in the arms or legs, and swelling. If the infection becomes severe, limbs or genital areas can swell up permanently and become disfigured.
ivermectin for Filariasis
Ivermectin is a powerful drug that can effectively treat Filariasis. This anti-parasitic medicine can kill the microfilariae that cause the disease and prevent its recurrence. Ivermectin is a safe and effective treatment for people living in endemic areas.
A single oral dose of ivermectin is more effective than diethylcarbamazine for clearing microfilariae from the blood. It is also less likely to produce side effects.
The treatment of lymphatic filariasis requires a combination of drugs to kill both the microfilariae and adult worms that cause elephantiasis. This includes ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole.
Where to buy ivermectin online
Ivermectin is a natural antihelminthic medication that is used to treat a wide range of parasitic conditions. It is effective against head lice, scabies, strongyloidiasis, river blindness and filariasis among others.
There are several places where you can buy ivermectin online, but it is important to make sure that you choose a reputable vendor. This will ensure that you get a high-quality product at an affordable price.
You should also check whether the seller is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will ensure that you are safe and secure while purchasing your medication.
The FDA requires that all products be evaluated and inspected for safety before they are sold in the United States. It is important to find a reputable supplier that has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation.
In addition, you should choose a reputable pharmacy that offers free shipping for your purchase. This will help you save money and time. You should also read customer reviews before making your purchase to ensure that you are getting a high-quality product at an affordable rate.
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How is filariasis diagnosed?
Lymphatic filariasis, which is the most common form of this disease, is diagnosed when doctors find microfilariae in a sample of blood or when they see adult worms on lymph tissue under a microscope. The condition is usually treated with the drug diethylcarbamazine (DEC), which kills the microfilariae and some adult worms.
Most people who get lymphatic filariasis do not have any symptoms, but it can cause a weakened immune system and other problems. They may have a fever, swollen lymph nodes and pain in their legs or groin.
Diagnosis of this infection is difficult and depends on the presence of circulating filarial antigen for Wuchereria bancrofti infections or demonstration of microfilariae in a blood film and lymphatic tissue biopsy. It is especially challenging to diagnose lymphatic filariasis in individuals who have a high level of eosinophilia.
What are the filariasis risk factors?
Infection is spread by mosquito bites and is most common in tropical countries. Most short-term travelers have little risk of infection, but those who live for long periods in endemic areas are more likely to develop symptoms of LF.
LF is a major cause of morbidity and disability in many areas around the world. It leads to permanent limb swelling, eye damage, and elevated white blood cell counts. It also affects productivity and increases the burden on local communities, including healthcare providers.
Despite the success of mass drug administration campaigns, lymphatic filariasis remains a serious public health problem worldwide. Several countries are still endemic, including American Samoa and Ghana, where LF prevalence is still high.
Precautions
- The most effective way to prevent filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites. This includes wearing long sleeved clothes and mosquito repellent creams. It also means avoiding strong perfumes that attract mosquitoes.
- When a mosquito bites you, it creates a hole into which the larvae of tiny filarial worms can enter the body. These worms then travel to the lymphatic system, cutaneous tissues or elsewhere in the body cavity and become adults.
- These adult worms can live for about 6-8 years, mating and giving birth to millions of larvae. This leads to a number of problems.
- For example, a person with a chronic infection may develop elephantiasis, which is characterized by swelling of the legs and genitals that are several times their normal size. This can cause pain and a loss of sexual function in affected individuals.
- While there are no effective vaccines for filariasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using preventive chemotherapy to control it. Taking a single dose of these medicines each year can help keep the worms from reproducing, making them less likely to spread to other people.
References
- https://develthe.com/gnathostomiasis-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/
