Filariasis is a number of infections caused by filarial worms and can affect both animals and humans. There are many types of filaria parasites that have hundreds of species, but only eight species can cause infection in humans.
Filariasis grouping is generally categorized according to the location of adult worm habitats in the human body, namely skin filariasis, lymphatics, and body cavities. What will be discussed in more detail lymphatic filariasis or better known as elephantiasis or elefantiasis.
Also read: Filariasis Can Be Prevented, Do These 5 Things
Symptoms of Filariasis
Based on the symptoms of lymphatic filariasis, it is divided into three categories which include asymptomatic, acute and chronic conditions.
1. Without Symptoms
Most lymphatic filariasis infections occur without showing any symptoms. However, this infection still causes damage to the lymphatic tissue and kidneys while affecting the immune system.
2. Acute Lymphatic Filariasis
This condition is divided into two types, namely:
· Acute adenolymoritis (ADL). Symptoms that appear are fever, swelling of the lymph or lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), as well as infected body parts that will feel painful, reddened, and swollen. ADL can recur more than once a year. Fluid that accumulates can lead to fungal infections of the skin that damage the skin. The more frequent relapses, the swelling can get worse.
· Acute filarial lymphangitis (AFL). AFL is caused by dying adult worms that will trigger symptoms that are slightly different from ADL because they are generally not accompanied by fever or other infections. In addition, AFL can trigger symptoms which include the appearance of small lumps on the body, where the dying worms are collected (for example in the lymph system or in the scrotum).
3. Chronic Lymphatic Filariasis
This condition will cause lymphedema or a buildup of fluid that causes swelling in the legs and arms. Fluid buildup and infections that occur due to weak immunity will eventually lead to damage and thickness of the skin layer. This condition is called elefantiasis. In addition, fluid buildup can also affect the abdominal cavity, testicles in male sufferers and breasts in female sufferers.
Causes of Filariasis
According to WHO, there are around 120 million people in the world who suffer from lymphatic filariasis and one third of them have severe infections. Filaria parasites enter the human body through the bite of an infected mosquito. The worm will grow up, survive for six to eight years, and continue to multiply in human lymphatic tissue.
This infection is commonly experienced since childhood and causes damage to the lymphatic system that is not realized until finally there is severe and painful swelling. The swelling can then cause permanent disability.
Also read: Idap Elephant Feet, Can Heal Without Taking Medicine?
Filariasis Treatment
· Operation.
· Exercise.
· Sterilize the wound.
· Compressing swollen parts.
Filariasis Prevention
The main step in preventing infection with filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites as much as possible. This is very important, especially in tropical countries, like Indonesia. To maximize protection against mosquito bites, we can take simple steps which include:
· Wearing clothes or long pants.
· Apply anti-mosquito lotion.
· Sleep in a mosquito net.
· Clean puddles around the environment.
