severe elephantoid scrotum |
elephantiasis of the leg |
Mosquito bites: Just a bite from mosquitoes could cause extreme swollen limbs, kidney damages, severe skin dermatitis, orchitis- inflammation of the testes etc
A man is going through the worst moments of his life
after his leg swelled to extremely large proportions following a mosquito bite.
It took
just one bite from a mosquito for man to be infected with one of the most
frightening and crippling tropical diseases.
The man
was bitten by the fly 20 years ago and subsequently infected with Lymphatic
filariasis, a parasitic infection better known as Elephantiasis. It is called elephantiasis as a result of thickened
and fissured ‘elephant-like” that occurs on the leg. Classical elephantiasis is
a more unusual consequence of infection by Wuchereria
bancrofti and by at least two other species of filaroids.
He has
been battling the infection ever since, and watched as his left leg swelled and
became thickened and fissured “elephant-like”, almost paralyzing him.
The
disease targets the body's lymphatic system as the larvae reproduce and mature
over a period of one year. The infection is typically characterized by
extreme swelling of limbs or genitals, though the majority of people who are
infected by the parasite do not develop any symptoms.
However,
the worms can damage kidneys and lymph nodes even if a person does not exhibit
external symptoms.
It is
believed that the infection is brought to the new world by slave trade.
Filariasis is found in Africa, Central and South America, South Asia, and the
Pacific Islands. Global prevalence of lymphatic filariais is about 120 million
cases and Wuchereria bancrofti is
responsible for over 90% of lymphatic filariasis.
Doctors
can use anthelmintic drugs which will expel the parasitic worms from the
patient's body.
In cases
whereby patients do not seek treatment early it can be a life-long battle.
In terms
of prevention, although there is a greater risk for long-term travelers or
humanitarian workers, all tourists are encouraged to use insect repellent
containing DEET, or diethyltoluamide, the most common kind of insect
repellent.
Elephantiasis often leaves sufferers
incapacitated as their painful and swollen limbs are incredibly difficult to
move.
It is
primarily found in third world countries, it leaves many with the condition
struggling to work, and can be fatal.
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