Elephantiasis: The giant problem
- The adult worm is long and slim with rounded sides
- The male worm is 40mm long and 100 micro meters wide. It also has a curved tail
- Female worms are 6-10cm long and have a 3 times larger width than males to hold microfilariae
Wait But Riley, what is this Lymphatic Filariasis?
Great Question! Lymphatic Filariasis is basically Elephantiasis in its beginning form. It becomes Elephantiasis after the fluids build up and the body part grows into an elephantoid size
Bibliography
Any questions?
(Claps)
"Elephantiasis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment." Elephantiasis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ayushveda.com/health/shleepada-jwara.htm>.
"Elephantiasis PlayV2('en/UK/sh/shddd3dysgd7dssfs5sjdrs3sfylhngj')." TheFreeDictionary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/elephantiasis>.
"Elephantiasis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment." Elephantiasis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ayushveda.com/health/shleepada-jwara.htm>.
ICON Health Publications. Elephantiasis. N.p.: ICON Health Publications, 2004. Print
"Wuchereria Bancrofti - Lymphatic Filariasis - Elephantiasis." Wuchereria Bancrofti - Lymphatic Filariasis - Elephantiasis. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www.parasitesinhumans.org/wuchereria-bancrofti-lymphatic-filariasis.html>.
Interesting facts
- Humans are the only known hosts of Wuchereria bancrofti
- Found in smaller less hygienit countries. Ex: Africa
- People sometimes mistake it as "elephantitis" because of children expressing things they know as disease
- Any developed Elephantiasis cannot be cure
- Another reason it affects mostly Africa is because the people there can't normally afford treatment
Disease Causing Organisms
~Parasitic worms
Transmission
~Wuchereria Bancrofti, Brugia Malayi, and Brugia Timori
A Bad Case of Elephantiasis
~Main one is the Wuchereria (W.) Bancrofti
Lymphatic Filariasis
~Transmitted through female mosquitos.
Symptoms of Elephantiasis include...
~The larva of the parasites enter the host once bitten by a mosquito.
Major swelling on a certain part of the body like the arms or the legs where it is most common.
With blockage of the lymphatic system and substances from worms people have fever, shaking chills, sweating, headaches vomitting, and pain
The infected limb can feel soft but eventually becomes hard and thick. It also looks dark and wart covered. It even has a possibility to crack and get infected with bacteria
~In the host they live for an average of five years
When the mosquitos bite other people the disease further spreads.
Wuchereria Bancrofti
Prevention!
~Mosquito Eradication
~quarantine hosts
Treatment options
Antibiotic: Doxycycline
Other medicines like ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine
Geotargeting, part of a bigger plan
Vata pacifying diets
~Eat warm foods
~Include nuts
~Sweet, salty, or sour foods