India has made significant progress in fighting lymphatic filariasis in the last few years. Recently, the National Center for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) launched a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign targeting 63 districts in 6 states to fight the disease. The aim was to exceed the achieved 82.5% coverage rate in the year 2023.
Filaria is an infectious disease, which is spread by mosquito bites. Due to this, fluid retention can occur i.e. fluid can accumulate in any part of the body. In many cases it can even result in deformity or disability.
The organs affected by this disease swell and become heavy. Generally due to this the size of the feet becomes heavy. This is the reason why it is also called elephant disease. In common language people call it filariasis. Currently 74 crore people of India are at risk of filariasis.
That's why today' health water'In this we will talk about filariasis. You will also learn that-
3.1 crore people in India have filariasis According to a report published in the 'Indian Journal of Public Health', about 74 crore people in India are at risk of filariasis, while 3.1 crore people are infected with it. Out of these, about 2.3 crore people are symptomatic, that is, symptoms are visible in their body. There are a large number of people who are infected with filariasis but do not show any symptoms in their body. Despite this, his lymphatic system and kidneys are being damaged.
Why do hands and feet become larger when there is filariasis?
Due to the malfunction of this system, the immune power starts weakening. The tissues begin to fill with water. Due to this, the risk of infection and allergy increases and due to increase in swelling in the infected organs, their size starts increasing.
What are the symptoms of filariasis? Dr. Pankaj Verma, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram, says that in most cases of filariasis, no symptoms are seen. This means that most people are asymptomatic.
Some people infected with it show mild symptoms, while 1 in 3 people have severe symptoms. In this, the hands, legs and face become so heavy that it takes the form of disability.
What are its characteristics, see in the graphic.
Which organs are affected by filariasis? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, filariasis affects multiple organs. This has a bad effect on the kidneys. Apart from this, hands, feet and skin are also affected. Our immunity is also affected by this.
Dr. Pankaj Verma says that the main cause of filariasis is parasite. This gradually damages our lymphatic system. First it affects the internal organs. That's why nothing is known in the beginning. When the infection increases too much, its effects start appearing in the external organs of the body also.
Due to this, what kind of changes occur in which organs, see in the graphic given below.
What are the complications of filariasis? The biggest problem in this disease is that our immune power becomes weak. The body is unable to fight against minor allergies and bacterial infections. Every small disease starts affecting you.
Apart from this, inflammation caused by accumulation of fluid in the tissues is also a big problem.
Filariasis is caused by parasitic worms. These worms reach the lymphatic system very slowly through the bloodstream. An adult parasitic worm there lives for 7 years. It produces millions of parasites during this period. Their numbers increase very quickly. Therefore it becomes difficult to treat it.
What is the treatment of filariasis? Dr. Pankaj Verma says that in case of filariasis infection, its treatment is more or less easy in the initial days. Its symptoms can be prevented from becoming severe, but it becomes difficult to treat as time passes. The problem is also that its symptoms are not visible in the initial days. Therefore it becomes a lifelong disease.
Albendazole, DEC and Ivermectin medicines are given in its treatment.
Be careful if you have filariasis Dr. Pankaj Verma says that if someone has filariasis, he should make some improvements in his lifestyle, so that bacterial infections and allergies can be avoided and life can become easier.
What are the ways to prevent filariasis? The best way to prevent filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites. Since the risk of filariasis is very high in India, we need to take special precautions.
Graphics Source: NavJivanIndia | VaskarAssets
