Learn how to choose the most effective repellent, and how they may prevent…. Arboviruses are a group of viruses that are transmitted by insects to humans. Examples include yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Japanese….
Mosquitos are flying insects, some which are known to carry harmful diseases. However, the bites of many mosquitos simply cause irritation. In this article we look at why mosquito bites itch, evidence-backed ways to reduce itching and swelling, and discuss when to see a doctor.
An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil alerted the world to the dangers of this mosquito-borne disease when there was a fold increase in newborns…. Can you treat elephantiasis? Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments Complications Prevention Takeaway Elephantiasis is a tropical disease caused by parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. What are the symptoms?
Share on Pinterest Elephantiasis may cause swelling of the limbs, breasts, or genitals. Image credit: CDC, How is it diagnosed? Share on Pinterest A blood sample will be taken to confirm the presence of the parasite. Are there any complications? Share on Pinterest Elephantiasis may cause anxiety about appearance. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes.
Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? The most common side effects are dizziness, nausea, fever, headache, or pain in muscles or joints. DEC should not be administered to patients who may also have onchocerciasis as DEC can worsen onchocercal eye disease. In patients with loiasis, DEC can cause serious adverse reactions, including encephalopathy and death. The risk and severity of the adverse reactions are related to Loa loa microfilarial density.
People with lymphedema and elephantiasis are unlikely to benefit from DEC treatment because most people with lymphedema are not actively infected with the filarial parasite. To prevent lymphedema from getting worse, patients should ask their physician for a referral to a lymphedema therapist so they can be informed about some basic principles of care such as hygiene, elevation, exercises,skin and wound care, and wearing appropriate shoes.
Patients with hydrocele may have evidence of active infection, but typically do not improve clinically following treatment with DEC. The treatment for hydrocele is surgery. There is some evidence that suggests that a course of the antibiotic doxycycline may prevent lymphedema from getting worse.
More on: Resources for Health Professionals: Treatment. For this reason, the blood collection has to be done at night to coincide with the appearance of the microfilariae in the blood. Serologic techniques provide an alternative to microscopic detection of microfilariae for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis.
Because lymphedema may develop many years after infection, lab tests are often negative with these patients. Avoiding mosquito bites is the best form of prevention.
The mosquitoes that carry the microscopic worms usually bite between the hours of dusk and dawn. If you live in or travel to an area with lymphatic filariasis:. People infected with adult worms can take a yearly dose of medicine, called diethylcarbamazine DEC , that kills the microscopic worms circulating in the blood. While this drug does not kill all of the adult worms, it does prevent infected people from giving the disease to someone else.
People with lymphedema and elephantiasis are not likely to benefit from DEC treatment because most people with lymphedema are not actively infected with the filarial parasite. People with lymphedema and hydrocele can benefit from lymphedema management, and in the case of hydrocele surgical repair. Even after the adult worms die, lymphedema can develop.
You can ask your physician for a referral to see a lymphedema therapist for specialized care. Prevent the lymphedema from getting worse by following several basic principles:. Contact Us. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Parasites - Lymphatic Filariasis.
Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. On This Page What is lymphatic filariasis? How is lymphatic filariasis spread?
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