Symptoms of Filariasis
Patients having filariasis may or may not exhibit any symptoms. However some common symptoms of filariasis are:
- Fever, chills, and headache.
- Skin lesions in the early stages (between 3 to 9 months from insect bite).
- Lymphedema due to the blockage of lymph vessels during late stages.
- Swelling and redness of limbs.
- Sometimes pus retention may result.
In advance stages of disease secondary infection may result. This can result in rashes, abdominal pain and discomfort, loss of vision due to damage of cornea, choroid, retina, and even the optic nerve. Abnormal pigmentation of skin is also observed in certain cases. If neglected, these symptoms can lead to elephantiasis, i.e. gross enlargement of limbs and genital area.
What Is Filariasis? – Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis
Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by some species of nematodes belonging to Filarioidea. This disease is vector-borne and is spread by mosquitoes and black flies. Wuchereria bancrofti is the most famous causal organism of the disease. Filariasis is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and Central and South America. The disease is a significant public health concern, and efforts to control and eliminate the disease involve a combination of vector control, drug administration, and health education.
Table of Content
- What is Filariasis?
- The Causal Organisms of Filariasis
- Transmission of Filariasis
- Symptoms of Filariasis
- Diagnosis of Filariasis
- Treatment of Filariasis
- Prevention of Filariasis
- Conclusion
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