Disease elephantiasis

Disease elephantiasis (filariasis or elephantiasis) is a class of infectious disease caused by Filaria worms that are transmitted through various species of mosquitoes. After being bitten mosquitoes, parasites (larvae) will spread and when it comes to network lympa system then develops into the disease.

This disease is chronic (chronic) and if not treated, can cause permanent disability in the form of enlargement of the legs, arms and genitals of both women and men. Elephant foot disease is not a deadly disease, however, for patients may be something that feels shameful even to interfere with daily activities.

Elephant foot disease commonly found in many tropical regions. According to information from WHO, the order states that there are people develop the disease elephantiasis is South Asia (India and Bangladesh), Africa, the Pacific and the Americas. Later many of them occur in Thailand and Indonesia (Southeast Asia).

Elephant Leg Disease Transmission

The disease is spread by mosquitoes which suck the blood of someone who had been infected previously. Infected blood and contain larvae and would be transmitted to another person when an infected mosquito bite or suck the blood of the person.

Unlike malaria and dengue fever, filariasis can be transmitted by 23 species of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Aedes & Armigeres. Because of this, filariasis can spread very quickly.

Signs and symptoms of disease elephantiasis

Someone who is infected with elephantiasis disease usually occurs in childhood, where in a long time (many years) began to be felt development.

The acute symptoms that may occur include:
Recurring fever for 3-5 days, fever may be lost when the break and came back after working hard

Swollen lymph nodes (without any injury) groin area, armpits (lymphadenitis), which looks red, hot and painful

Tract inflammation of lymph nodes that feel heat and pain radiating from the base of the foot or base of the arm towards the end (retrograde lymphangitis)

Filarial abscess due to often suffer swollen lymph nodes, it can burst and release pus and blood

Enlargement of the legs, arms, breasts, testicles that look a bit reddish and feels hot (early lymphodema)

While the chronic symptoms of the disease elephantiasis, which formed as a permanent enlargement (elephantiasis) in the legs, arms, breasts, testicles (elephantiasis skroti).

Elephant Leg Disease Diagnostic Examination

Elephant foot disease is generally detected through microscopic examination of blood, until today it is still considered difficult because of microfilaria just appear and present themselves in the blood at night for several hours only (nocturnal Periodicity).

In addition, various inspection method was also performed to diagnose the disease elephantiasis. Among them is with a system known as Penjaringan membrane, method of Knott concentration and deposition technique.

Inspection method which is closer towards the diagnosis and recognized by the WHO is by way of examination system "test card", This is very simple and sensitive to detect the spread of the parasite (larvae). That is by taking samples of finger prick blood droplets at a time when the system at any time, not necessarily at night.

Handling and Elephant Foot Disease Treatment

The main goal in early treatment of patients with elephantiasis disease is killing parasites or larvae which develop in the patient's body, so that the transmission rate can be reduced and reduced.

Dietilkarbamasin {diethylcarbamazine (DEC)} is the only drug for filariasis is a powerful and malayi filariasis bancrofti, is makrofilarisidal and mikrofilarisidal. The drug is relatively cheap, safe and no drug resistance. Patients who get this drug therapy may provide local and systemic adverse reactions are temporary and easily treated with symptomatic medication.

Dietilkarbamasin not be used for khemoprofilaksis. Treatment is given orally after dinner, is absorbed rapidly, reaching peak concentration in blood within 3 hours, and excreted through urine. Dietilkarbamasin diberikanpada no children younger than 2 years, pregnant / lactating, and patients with severe pain or
in a weak state.

However, in cases of elephantiasis disease severe enough (already enlarged) because it is not detected early, in addition to the provision of drugs would require further steps such as surgery.

Elephant Leg Disease Prevention

For patients with disease awareness elephant expected to check their medicine and get medical treatment so as not to disseminate obtan transmission to other communities. That is why the need for education and the introduction of disease to patients and residents nearby.

Eradication of mosquitoes each region is very important to break the transmission chain of this disease. Maintain environmental hygiene is of paramount importance to prevent the development of mosquitoes in the area.