Filariasis Scare

When I got home last night my brother asked me if I heard about the latest news in our barangay. I though it was just a gossip about one of our neighbors but then when he mentioned about a filariasis outbreak I was worried. Got me into finding out the most basic information about the disease and its pathological pattern and course of the disease.

Filariasis a parasitic and infectious tropical disease, that is caused by thread-like filarial netamode worms. There are 9 known filarial nematodes which use humans as the definitive host.

Signs and Symptoms

• Pain and swelling of the breast, vagina, scrotum, legs and arms
• Fever
• Cough
• Chills

Prevention

• Wear long sleeve shirt and long pants when working in farms or areas endemic of filariasis.
• Sleep under a mosquito net.

Treatment

• Selective treatment with DEC (Diethylcarbamazine Citrate) is given to people with clinical manifestations of the disease.
• Mass treament of the people living in established endemic areas.
• Medicines (DEC and albendazole) are given once a year for 5 years.