Filariasis is a tropical disease caused by parasitic roundworms transmitted through mosquito bites. The larvae can cause lymphatic obstruction and elephantiasis, a gross enlargement of body parts. Symptoms include fever, chills, and swelling of limbs or genitals. Diagnosis involves examining blood for parasite antibodies or microfilariae. Treatment uses medications to kill the parasites, though elephantiasis cannot be reversed. Prevention focuses on limiting mosquito bites by clothing, nets, and repellents.

1. OPTOM FASLU MUHAMMED

2. • Filariasis is tropical diseases caused by
various thread-like parasitic round
worms (nematodes) and their larvae
• The larvae transmit the disease to
humans through a mosquito bite.

3. • Filariasis is characterized by fever,
chills, headache, and skin lesions in the
early stages
• if untreated, can progress to include
gross enlargement of the limbs and
genitalia in a condition called
elephantiasis

4. Causes
• the disease is caused by the adult
worms actually living in the lymphatic
vessels near the lymph nodes where
they distort the vessels and cause local
inflammation

5. • In advanced stages, the worms can
actually obstruct the vessels, causing
the surrounding tissue to become
enlarged.

6. • Repeated inflammation lead to
blockages of the lymphatic system,
especially in the genitals and legs.
• This causes the affected area to
become grossly enlarged, with
thickened, coarse skin, leading to a
condition called elephantiasis.

7. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• In conjunctiva filariasis, the worms'
larvae migrate to the eye
• If untreated, this disease can cause a
type of blindness known as
onchocerciasis.

8. `
• Symptoms vary, depending on what
type of parasitic worm has caused the
infection
• but all infections usually begin with
chills, headache,
• fever between three months

9. • swelling, redness, and pain in the arms,
legs, or scrotum
• Areas of pus (abscesses) may appear
as a result of dying worms or a
secondary bacterial infection

10. • Symptoms caused by the death of the
parasites include fever, headache,
muscle pain, abdominal pain, nausea
and vomiting, weakness, dizziness,
lethargy, and asthma.

11. Diagnosis
• patient history
• physical examination,
• screening blood specimens for specific
proteins produced by the immune
system in response to this infection
(antibodies

12. • signs of lymphatic obstruction
• The larvae (microfilariae) can also be
found in the blood,

13. Treatment
• albendazole, or diethylcarbamazine is
used to treat a filariasis (infection by
eliminating the larvae, impairing the
adult worms' ability to reproduce, and
by actually killing adult worms).

14. • The medication is started at low doses
to prevent reactions caused by large
numbers of dying parasites.
• These side effects can be controlled
using antihistamines and anti-
inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids

15. • Other common drug reactions include
dizziness, weakness, and nausea.

16. • No treatment can reverse elephantiasis.
• Surgery may be used to remove surplus
tissue and provide a way to drain the
fluid around the damaged lymphatic
vessels

17. Prevention
• to prevent being repeatedly bitten by
the mosquitoes
• limit outdoor activities at night,
particularly in rural

18. • wear long sleeves and pants and avoid
dark-colored clothing that attracts
mosquitoes
• avoid perfumes and cologne

19. • if sleeping in an open area or in a room
with poor screens, use a bed net to
avoid being bitten while asleep
• use air conditioning, the cooler air
makes insects less active.