what is Filaria? Write its symptoms and method of prevention
Answers
You can find your answer o wikipedia or google.
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
Ivermectin
Suramin
Mebendazole
Flubendazole
Albendazole
Doxycycline - Used to target Wolbachia, an endosymbiotic bacteria in multiple filarial species
Fever
Inguinal or axillary lymphadenopathy
Testicular and/or inguinal pain
Skin exfoliation
Limb or genital swelling - Repeated episodes of inflammation and lymphedema lead to lymphatic damage, chronic swelling, and elephantiasis of the legs, arms, scrotum, vulva, and breasts
Filaria (= filariasis = elephantiasis) is a tropical, infectious helminthic disease where the parasite lives inside lymph vessels, connective tissues or mesentery.
The disease is due to nematode Wuchereria bancrofti.
Symptoms:- 1) In the first stage, the patient shows increased eosinosphils, enlarged lymph nodes and positive intradermal parasite test.
2) Second or carrier stage is symptomless but the night blood examination can reveal the parasite.
3) Third stage is characterised by filarial fever, inflammation of lymph nodes (Iymphadenitis) and lymph vessels (Iymphangiectasis) and reversible lymphoedema ( excess fluid in tissues due to obstruction of lymph vessels) in various body parts.
4) The fourth of final stage is manifested by lymphoedema accompanied by thickening of subcutaneous tissues and skin so that there is permanent swelling mostly of feet, legs, thighs, genitals(e.g., scrotal sacs),breast, etc. resulting in gross deformities. It is called elephantiasis.
Control:-
1) the disease can be cured by drugs like hetrazan, MSE and dimethyl carbamazine(DEC).
2) reconstruction of affected body parts through surgery.
3) diseases can be prevented by taking precautions against mosquito bites.
4) it is also advisable to take the prophylactic drugs in Filaria prone areas,e.g., diethyl earbamacine.