What causes filaria?

Filariasis is an infectious tropical disease caused by any one of several thread-like parasitic round worms. The two species of worms most often associated with this disease are Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. The larval form of the parasite transmits the disease to humans by the bite of a mosquito.

What are the symptoms of filarial worms?

What are the symptoms of lymphatic filariasis?

• Inflammation — an overactivated immune system.
• Lymphedema — fluid buildup in your lymphatic system.
• Hydrocele — swelling and fluid buildup in the scrotum.
• Edema — swelling and fluid buildup in your arms, legs, breasts and female genitals (vulva).

Can filaria be cured?

Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is the drug of choice in the United States. The drug kills the microfilariae and some of the adult worms. DEC has been used world-wide for more than 50 years.

How do you get filarial worms?

The disease spreads from person to person by mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites a person who has lymphatic filariasis, microscopic worms circulating in the person’s blood enter and infect the mosquito.

What is the best treatment for filaria?

The main goal of treatment of an infected person is to kill the adult worm. Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), which is both microfilaricidal and active against the adult worm, is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis. The late phase of chronic disease is not affected by chemotherapy.

How does filariasis affect your body?

These asymptomatic infections still cause damage to the lymphatic system and the kidneys and alter the body’s immune system. When lymphatic filariasis develops into chronic conditions it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling).

What foods to avoid if you have filaria?

Milk and products, fish, jaggery, sweets and contaminated water must be avoided.

Is filariasis a fungal infection?

Filariasis is a disease group caused by filariae that affects humans and animals (ie, nematode parasites of the family Filariidae). Of the hundreds of described filarial parasites, only 8 species cause natural infections in humans.

What is the best treatment for filariasis?

How long can filariasis last?

ACUTE Signs & Symptoms Flare-ups can last 4-7 days and occur up to 4 times per year depending on the severity of the lymphedema. Filarial fever: Often an acute fever that occurs independently of any other signs of lymphadenopathy.