Lymphatic Filariasis
Imagine, if you will, what goes down your drain at home and into the city’s sewer system. Now, picture what would happen if, somewhere along the miles of underground pipes, there is a blockage of some kind, and very little, if any, drain water can get by. This is a simplified comparison of what happens in the human body of a person living with lymphatic filariasis.
A mosquito, after biting a person that currently has the disease, carries the larvae of the parasite that causes the symptoms and bites someone else, thereby passing on the larvae, or microfilariae, into the next host. Most people that are infected do not show any clinical signs or symptoms of the parasite, even though their lymph system is being damaged. (World Health Organization, n.d.) As the larvae circulate through the blood system, they mature into adult worms, migrate to the lymphatic vessels and release microscopic worms, known as microfilariae. They, in turn, circulate to the blood stream and will not mature into adulthood until a mosquito bites the host and it can go along for the ride to infect another. There are three types of …show more content…
Another method of control and prevention is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. Usually, carrier mosquitoes bite usually between nightfall and dawn. The CDC advises if you live in a region where lymphatic filariasis is common, you should:
• “At night, sleep in an air-conditioned room or under a mosquito net, and
• Between nightfall and dawn, wear long sleeves and pants, and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.” (CDC, 2013)
While experts believe that lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated altogether on a world-wide scale, be sure that any precaution you can take in preventing and controlling the spread of this disease is of great
A mosquito, after biting a person that currently has the disease, carries the larvae of the parasite that causes the symptoms and bites someone else, thereby passing on the larvae, or microfilariae, into the next host. Most people that are infected do not show any clinical signs or symptoms of the parasite, even though their lymph system is being damaged. (World Health Organization, n.d.) As the larvae circulate through the blood system, they mature into adult worms, migrate to the lymphatic vessels and release microscopic worms, known as microfilariae. They, in turn, circulate to the blood stream and will not mature into adulthood until a mosquito bites the host and it can go along for the ride to infect another. There are three types of …show more content…
Another method of control and prevention is to avoid mosquito bites altogether. Usually, carrier mosquitoes bite usually between nightfall and dawn. The CDC advises if you live in a region where lymphatic filariasis is common, you should:
• “At night, sleep in an air-conditioned room or under a mosquito net, and
• Between nightfall and dawn, wear long sleeves and pants, and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.” (CDC, 2013)
While experts believe that lymphatic filariasis can be eliminated altogether on a world-wide scale, be sure that any precaution you can take in preventing and controlling the spread of this disease is of great