Elephantiasis is the general term used for the disease which causes extreme swelling in the arms and legs. The tissues of the Lymph system become thick and inflamed. This disease also goes by the name Lymphatic Filariasis or Elephantitis.

1. CAUSES | SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS
| TREATMENT

2.  Elephantiasis is the general term used for the disease
which causes extreme swelling in the arms and legs.
 The tissues of the Lymph system become thick and
inflamed. This disease also goes by the name Lymphatic
Filariasis or Elephantitis. There is also another type
Elephantiasis, known as Non-Filarial Elephantitis.
 This disease almost affects the people of all age groups
and is common in tropical regions of India. This disease
is caused by different types of worms which get
transmitted into the human body.

3.  The Elephantiasis Syndrome is caused by an infection of
a nematode parasite called the filarial worm. The
parasite gets transmitted into the human body by female
mosquitoes, parasite then grows into an adult worm
leading to Elephantiasis.
 Wuchereria bancrofti, Burgia malayi, symbiotic
walbachia bacteria and burgia timori are the parasites
which get transmitted through mosquito in lymph
system causing Elephantiasis. These parasites feed on
human blood.

4. The major symptom of Elephantiasis is excessive swelling in
a body part due to the amassing of fluid. Some common
symptoms of acute and chronic infection are:
 Thickness of skin
 Fever
 Skin Ulceration
 Paining Testicles
 Enlarged Lymph Nodes
 Swelling in the Liver
 Pain above testicles
 White urine discharge

5.  The treatment of elephantiasis includes medication and
surgery. However, no vaccine has been developed to
treat this disease.
 The Diethylcarbamazine otherwise known as DEC is the
main medication used to treat this drug. This medicine
kills the small as well as adult worms present in the
lymph system. But this medicine is not a permanent cure
for this disease as filaries grow again after some time.
 However, this medicine is only effective in the initial
stages of infection, lymphatic surgery can also be done
on the recommendation of a doctor.

6. These are some of the preventive measures that can be
taken to protect you from transmission of parasite
infection.
 Regularly wash your hand with soap and water.
 Apply mosquito repellent.
 Apply antibacterial and anti-fungal cream on the
wound.
 Maintain proper hygiene conditions around you.
 Workout to make your lymphatic system strong.
 Washing fruits and vegetables before consuming.

7. If Elephantiasis is not treated early, it can lead to dangerous
complications later on. Elephantiasis gets transmitted to
other parts of the body, resulting in unbearable pain.
Long term Elephantiasis causes the growth of
tumour, impotency, and failure of the kidneys.

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