In today’s world, over 120 million people are infected with a disease called lymphatic filariasis. From these 120 million people, over 40 million of them are disfigured and crippled due to the disease (World Health Organization, 2015). Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic tropical disease that is caused by microscopic threadlike worms that destroys the lymph system in the human body that may result in intense swelling (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Lymphatic filariasis is a epidemic in many countries around the world that requires treatment and control for the disease. Lymphatic filariasis also commonly referred to as elephantiasis is a extremely painful, disfiguring disease that causes extreme swelling in the limbs
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People who do not show any physical symptoms usually do not even realize they have the disease. People with the disease usually know due to the development of lymphedema (CDC, 2013). According to the Centers for Disease Control, lymphedema is the collection of fluid that results in severe swelling because of a damaged lymph system. The extreme swelling may occur in many places of the body. The most common area in which the swelling occurs is in the legs, arms, or external genitalia (Bernard Zazula, 2009). However, the elephantiasis can occur anywhere where lymph vessels are located (Bernard Zazula, 2009). Because of an obstruction in any of these vessels, elephantiasis can occur in areas such as the spleen, neck, elbows, chest, etc (Bernard Zazula, 2009). People who have lymphatic filariasis may not develop symptoms until years after the initial infection. (CDC, 2013). Because of this, the lymph system slowly starts to decrease in function making it extremely difficult for the body to fight infections (CDC, 2013) Therefore, people with the disease are more prone to bacterial infections that cause the hardening and thickening of the skin resulting in elephantiasis (CDC, 2013). The best way to prevent these infections is actually very simple. The key is to keep good hygiene especially for the skin and to exercise …show more content…
The most common test for diagnosing lymphatic filariasis is to identify the microfilariae through in a blood smear through microscopic examination (CDC, 2013). The blood that is used for the test is usually extracted at night because the microfilariae circulate the blood at this time (CDC 2013). After the blood is collected a large smear is made then Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin are added to stain the blood (CDC, 2013). Another technique may also be used to diagnose this disease. Serological techniques may be used to test patients for high levels of anti-filarial IgG4 in the blood that is usually common when patients have the infection (CDC, 2013). The disease can be detected through routine assays (CDC, 2013). People who have the following symptoms should be tested for the disease immediately: Swelling or hardening of the skin, severe swelling or lymphedema in the extremities, and acute episodes of severe swelling called filarial fevers (Global Network, 2015). Diagnosis is the first step to
People who do not show any physical symptoms usually do not even realize they have the disease. People with the disease usually know due to the development of lymphedema (CDC, 2013). According to the Centers for Disease Control, lymphedema is the collection of fluid that results in severe swelling because of a damaged lymph system. The extreme swelling may occur in many places of the body. The most common area in which the swelling occurs is in the legs, arms, or external genitalia (Bernard Zazula, 2009). However, the elephantiasis can occur anywhere where lymph vessels are located (Bernard Zazula, 2009). Because of an obstruction in any of these vessels, elephantiasis can occur in areas such as the spleen, neck, elbows, chest, etc (Bernard Zazula, 2009). People who have lymphatic filariasis may not develop symptoms until years after the initial infection. (CDC, 2013). Because of this, the lymph system slowly starts to decrease in function making it extremely difficult for the body to fight infections (CDC, 2013) Therefore, people with the disease are more prone to bacterial infections that cause the hardening and thickening of the skin resulting in elephantiasis (CDC, 2013). The best way to prevent these infections is actually very simple. The key is to keep good hygiene especially for the skin and to exercise …show more content…
The most common test for diagnosing lymphatic filariasis is to identify the microfilariae through in a blood smear through microscopic examination (CDC, 2013). The blood that is used for the test is usually extracted at night because the microfilariae circulate the blood at this time (CDC 2013). After the blood is collected a large smear is made then Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin are added to stain the blood (CDC, 2013). Another technique may also be used to diagnose this disease. Serological techniques may be used to test patients for high levels of anti-filarial IgG4 in the blood that is usually common when patients have the infection (CDC, 2013). The disease can be detected through routine assays (CDC, 2013). People who have the following symptoms should be tested for the disease immediately: Swelling or hardening of the skin, severe swelling or lymphedema in the extremities, and acute episodes of severe swelling called filarial fevers (Global Network, 2015). Diagnosis is the first step to