How Mosquito causes the Dreadful Elephantiasis.

As dreadful as elephantiasis looks like, one would easily not think it is caused by something as little as mosquitoes. It is also known as Lymphatic filariasis. For some of us who may have heard about elephantiasis briefly before, we may think it only makes the leg swell, but that is not true because those who have it, may experience having their legs and hands swollen, and in some cases, their sex organs and breast may also swell up.

The name elephantiasis was coined based on the fact that the affected skin region could get hard and have the resemblance of an elephant's skin. It is more common in tropical and subtropical regions.

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It does not take a single mosquito bite for one to have elephantiasis, if that were to be the case, almost everyone in Africa would have gotten one by now, but here is how it happens. It begins with a mosquito that is infected with roundworm larvae to bite you, this tiny larvae would survive and grow in the bloodstream of the affected person. Then, they will proceed to finish maturing in the lymph system and they can live there for years, causing damage to the lymph system and that is what causes the swelling.

While it may sound so common probably because we haven't seen a lot of people with the infection, according to the World Health Organization(WHO), more than 120 million people across 72 countries.

These worms in question are of three types;

Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of most cases of occurrence.
Brugia malayi, causes about 10% of elephantisis occurrence.
Brugia timori, also has a strong impact on occurrence.

These worms could live for about 6-8 years, and during their lifetime produce millions of microfilariae that circulate in the blood. Different mosquito types are responsible for the transmission of Lymphatic filariasis, we have the Culex mosquito which is found across the urban and semi-urban regions, then the Anopheles which is mainly found in rural regions, and Aedes which is mainly found in endemic islands in the Pacific.

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The terrible thing about elephantiasis is that most people who have it do not know until the swelling is noticed. Aside from the fact that the body parts would appear lumpy and bulky with stiff tough skin, it also comes with pain, and on some occasions, it is accompanied by fever, chills, and just an unpleasant feeling all over the body.

Having elephantiasis, is usually not a pleasant experience, as the affected body part will be very difficult to move. The risk of exposure to the condition is higher for people who live in unhygienic conditions, constantly bitten by mosquitoes, and those who live for a long time in tropical and subtropical regions.

The news to smile about is, there is a possible treatment that will help kill the worms in the blood. When medications are taken, it will stop the spread of the illness to others, however, this does not mean the parasite will be killed off completely. Antiparasitic medications will be prescribed to help with the feeling and other symptoms that present themselves could be managed with; analgesics, antihistamines, and antibiotics.

Not every case of elephantiasis requires medication, this is because, they may no longer be able to carry worms in their system despite the presence of the symptoms, in this case, swelling and skin infections can be managed through;

Skin moisturizing.
Wrapping the limbs to help prevent more swelling, as instructed by the doctor.
Wash the swollen and damaged skin gently daily with water and soap.
Regular exercise will also help to support the lymphatic system.

In certain rare cases, surgery may be recommended to get rid of damaged lymphatic tissue or relieve pressure in some areas, like the scrotum. Complications are possible, and elephantiasis is linked with several physical and emotional attributes;

Secondary infections: Bacterial and fungal infections are prevalent amongst cases of elephantiasis as a result of damage to the lymph system.
Disability: Elephantiasis has been known to cause severe disability, making it difficult for certain body parts to be moved which makes it more difficult for affected patients to engage in household tasks.
Emotional distress: With elephantiasis, people are bound to worry about their physical appearance, therefore leading to depression and anxiety.

Mosquito bites should best be avoided when there is a case of elephantiasis. If you live in regions where the risk is high or you have to visit those regions, ensure you; use mosquito repellant, sleep under a mosquito net, and have your skin covered with a protective cloth whenever you are outside.