Filariasis (elephantiasis): symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition of filariasis

Filariasis, or better known as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by filarial worms.

This thread-like worm lives in the lymphatic system (lymph nodes) of humans. That is why this disease is also called lymphatic filariasis .

In the lymphatic system, worms will affect the body's immune system and cause infection.

This disease causes several parts of your body to swell, especially the legs, arms and external genitals. However, it is possible that the breasts will also swell.

Filariasis is a chronic disease that can have long-term effects. You will experience pain and body swelling for a long time until you lose sexual ability.

How common is filariasis?

Filariasis or elephantiasis is a condition that is quite common in tropical and subtropical countries, such as Africa, the Western Pacific and Asia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 886 million people in 52 countries are at risk of being infected with this disease.

Even in 2000, more than 120 million people were infected, and 40 million of them were disabled.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows the fact that from 2002 to 2014 cases of chronic filariasis continued to increase in Indonesia. The highest number of cases of disability due to filariasis occurred in the province of East Nusa Tenggara.

This condition can occur in patients of any age and can be treated by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms of filariasis

Filariasis has both acute and chronic symptoms and signs. Usually symptomsacute filariasis or elephantiasis marked by:

1. Fever

Fever usually lasts 3 to 5 days. Fever also usually will appear repeatedly. When you rest your body, the fever will go away.

However, when doing various strenuous activities, fever will return.

2. Chills

Apart from having a fever, you will usually feel cold or chills. This condition usually recurs and is followed by fever.

3. Headache

Chronic filariasis is also characterized by headaches. This pain generally appears quite often together with fever.

4. Swollen lymph nodes

This swelling usually appears in the groin area and under the armpits. Generally, this swelling will look red, hot, and painful.

5. Inflammation of the lymph nodes

Usually this condition is characterized by a burning sensation and pain radiating from the base to the tip of the leg or arm. If you feel the characteristics of this one elephantiasis disease, do not underestimate it and immediately consult a doctor.

6. Filarial abscess

A filarial abscess is a condition when the swollen lymph nodes burst and leak blood and pus. This condition indicates that the infection has begun to spread.

7. Early swelling

In chronic filariasis, the legs, arms, breasts, and scrotum may appear red and slightly swollen. In addition, you will also feel a hot sensation in some of these parts.

This condition is a pretty clear sign that you are infected with elephantiasis.

Meanwhile, for symptoms of chronic filariasis or elephantiasis, You experience permanent swelling of a size that is large enough in:

• Feet
• Sex
• Breast
• Arm

The infected part of the body will become swollen, painful, and gradually lose function due to infection of the lymphatic system (lymphedema).

In addition, the skin on your body will usually be affected and is shown by various symptoms such as:

• Dry
• Thick
• Wound
• Darker than usual
• Freckled

In men, this infection can cause swelling and hydrocele in the scrotum. Because filariasis affects the immune system, people with it are also at high risk of developing other infections.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

This disease is quite difficult to detect at the beginning of its appearance. The reason is, the symptoms you feel are usually quite vague and similar to other health problems, such as fever, chills, headaches, to skin lesions.

Usually, the obvious symptoms will only appear and are shown when the adult worms die and the lymph system is damaged. Generally, this condition has entered a chronic stage.

Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of any unusual signs or symptoms in your body, especially if they have been occurring continuously.

Consult your doctor when you feel your body is giving certain signals. That way, the doctor will help diagnose the health problems you are experiencing.

Causes of filariasis

Filariasis or elephantiasis is caused by microscopic worms and can be transmitted from one person to another through mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes will become infected with roundworm larvae when they take food from the food or blood of humans who have them.

Then, the mosquito will bite another person, causing the worm larvae to enter that person's bloodstream. From the bloodstream, larvae will move to the lymphatic system and settle in it

There are three types of worms that cause elephantiasis, namely:

• Wuchereria bancrofti
• Brugia malayi
• Brugia timori

In Indonesia, about 70 percent of elephantiasis cases are caused by various types of worms Brugia malayi . These worms will later enter and attack the body's lymphatic system.

When the lymphatic system is damaged and clogged by worms, the various organs automatically cannot work optimally.

In fact, the lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste and toxins. As a result, lymphatic fluid reserves accumulate in the body and cause severe swelling.

Risk factors

Elephantiasis or filariasis can affect people of all ages. However, several things make a person more susceptible to this one disease, namely:

• Often bitten by mosquitoes
• Living in tropical or subtropical areas, such as Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and South America
• Have a weak immune system
• Living in an environment with poor sanitation

Filariasis complications

Without medical treatment, these parasites can live for years in the lymphatic system. As a result, the body will experience various damages.

Filariasis or elephantiasis can cause various complications such as:

1. Defects

Elephantiasis is one of the main causes of permanent disability. The reason is, when certain parts of the body are attacked and experience severe swelling, it will be very difficult for you to do your normal activities.

This makes it difficult for you to do many things, including moving.

2. Secondary infection

Secondary infection is another infection that may arise as a result of filariasis. This occurs because the lymphatic or lymph system is damaged, making it difficult to ward off infection.

As a result, other infections such as fungi and bacteria are very likely to appear and attack people who suffer from elephantiasis.

3. Impaired mental health

Swelling that appears in one or both legs can make the sufferer feel stressed, insecure, and anxious. Moreover, filariasis makes people less active than before.

For people who used to be active here and there, this is certainly a problem. Feelings of uselessness and shame will continue to haunt you.

If left unchecked, the perceived deterioration can lead to depression. Therefore, it is very important to provide support for people with elephantiasis.

Diagnosis and treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

First of all, the doctor will ask about your medical history and the various symptoms you have been experiencing in recent times.

After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to see signs of elephantiasis or filariasis on the body.

• Blood test
  The doctor will then make a basic diagnosis of the elephantiasis through a blood test. The blood sample taken is then followed by a microscopic examination to identify the presence of microscopic worms, or microfilaria.
• Serological test
  In addition, the doctor will also perform serological tests. This procedure is done to look for lymphatic filariasis to determine lymphedema (swelling due to obstruction of lymph fluid).

• X-rays and ultrasound
  Your doctor will also likely ask you to do X-rays and ultrasounds (USG). The goal, to see the condition of the body as a whole.

In addition, this test is also performed to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms.

How to treat filariasis?

People with active infections in their bodies will be given several treatments to kill worms in the blood. Some of the most commonly prescribed antiparasitic drugs include:

• Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
• Ivermectin (Mectizan)
• Albendazole (Albenza)
• Doxycycline

Although they may not kill all worms, they can help protect you from further infections.

In addition, by taking the medicine you will also stop transmission to other people from the mosquitoes that have bitten you.

Not only antiparasitic drugs, doctors may also prescribe several types of drugs to help relieve other symptoms that arise, namely:

• Antihistamines, to relieve various allergic reactions in the body due to elephantiasis
• Analgesics, to relieve pain from elephantiasis
• Antibiotics, to treat and prevent bacterial infections caused by elephantiasis

However, it should be underlined that not everyone affected by filariasis needs treatment. The reason is, they may no longer carry worms in their lymphatic system even though symptoms persist.

Usually, doctors will only ask them to perform various home treatments to prevent the severity of the condition.

One of them is the use of special elastic stockings which of course are used on the recommendation of a doctor.

Surgical procedure

In rare cases, surgery may also be recommended. Usually this procedure is done to remove damaged lymphatic tissue.

In addition, surgery is also needed to reduce pressure in certain areas such as the scrotum due to fluid buildup.

In fact, in some cases this procedure is performed to remove the remains of adult worms that are still developing in the body.

Always ask and consult your doctor about the best treatment you can get to treat filariasis.

Home treatment of filariasis

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you prevent elephantiasis from worsening:

• Clean the swollen area gently with soap and water every day
• Apply an anti-bacterial cream to the swollen area to stop bacterial infection
• Lifting and exercising the swollen area to increase blood flow
• Use a moisturizer so that the skin does not get dry
• Using a wound disinfectant to prevent other infections
• Exercise regularly to smooth the lymphatic system as recommended by your doctor

Prevention of filariasis

The best way to prevent filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible. This can be done by:

• Using a mosquito net while sleeping
• Avoid traveling to areas where elephantiasis is common
• Wearing pants and long sleeves while sleeping or in a place infested with mosquitoes
• Using mosquito repellents, such as topical creams, sprays, or essential oils
• Wear light colored clothes because mosquitoes are more attracted to dark colors
• Reducing the use of perfume or lotion that is too fragrant because it can attract mosquitoes
• Shut off the source of puddles in the house
• Store flower pots or other unused containers upside down
• Putting mosquito repellent plants in or around the house.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.