is elephantasis disease cause death?

Answer 1

Lymphatic Filariasis is a parasitic and infectious tropical disease, caused by the thread-like parasitic filarial worms, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, all transmitted by mosquitoes. It is extremely rare in Western countries. Loa loa is another filarial parasite of humans, transmitted by the deer fly.
Elephantiasis (Greek ελεφαντίασις, from ελέφαντας, "the elephant") is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs and genitals. Elephantiasis generally results from obstructions of the lymphatic vessels. It is a chronic disease causing shivering and high fever periodically.
Please see the web pages for more details and images on Elephantiasis and Lymphatic filariasis.

Answer 2

Elephantiasis is characterized by the gross enlargement of a limb or areas of the trunk or head. There is an abnormal accumulation of watery fluid in the tissues (edema) causing severe swelling. The skin usually develops a thickened, pebbly appearance and may become ulcerated and darkened. Fever, chills and a general feeling of ill health (malaise) may be present.

Elephantiasis may also affect the male and female genital organs. In a male, there may be enlargement of the scrotum, and the penis may be retracted under skin which has become thickened, nonelastic, hot and painful. The spermatic cords may become thickened.

The external parts of the female genital organs (vulva) may also be affected by elephantiasis. A long, tumorous mass covered by thickened and ulcerated skin may develop between the thighs. There may also be an enlargement of the lymph nodes of the legs.

Causes
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The extreme enlargement of the limbs and other areas of the body characterized by elephantiasis, is the result of obstruction of the lymph flow and possibly of blood circulation. The lymphatic blockage can be due to recurrent attacks of a bacterial infection which causes inflammation of the lymphatic vessels (streptococcal lymphangitis). When the lymphatic obstruction is large enough, back pressure in the lymphatic channels produces dilation of the superficial vessels, resulting in extreme swelling. Without medical intervention, the cycle continues until the affected area is grotesquely enlarged. Death of surrounding tissues may also occur from an obstructed blood supply (gangrene).

Recent studies have shown that a possible cause of elephantiasis in Africa may be related to the red soil on which certain barefooted populations live. It is believed that small chemical particles found in the soil may enter the skin through the bare feet. These particles then lodge in the lymphatic tissues and produce irritating effects. The traumatized tissue is then vulnerable to streptococcal infection.

Answer 3

Elephantiasis is a filarial disease and difficult to treat. It causes engorgement of the lower limbs with lymphatic fluids and bring pressure on the circulatory system. We use several different treatments to relieve the the edema but as such the disease is not fatal....In due course the patient would die from complications caused by homeostasis and gangrenous problems caused by the occlusion of the vascular flow.

Answer 4

Elephantiasis is actually a syndrome/condition, usually caused by a disease called lymphatic filariasis. Elephantiasis is due to blockage of lymph ducts by the worms (filaria), and although it is a major cause of morbidity/lost productivity, it is not generally fatal. Of course, it depends on the severity of the underlying condition and any complications/secondary infections.

Answer 5

Elephantitis Cause

Answer 6

All these long, long answers and only one even came close to answering your question. Filariasis, the medcial term for this conditon, doesn't cause death. Possible complications caused by the infestation can cause death but people live for many years with this condition so death is by no means immediate.

Answer 7

Swelling of a limb caused by lymphatic obstruction. Leads to thickening of the skin (pachyderma) often used as a synonym for » filariasis but may result from syphilis or recurring streptococcal infection (elephantiasis nostra)

* Around half of the world's population are afflicted by one or more of these neglected tropical diseases - bilharzias; worms; elephantiasis; river blindness and trachoma;
* These are diseases of poverty;
* The global burden of the neglected tropical diseases is equivalent to at least half of that of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria;
* A body of evidence exists indicating that the control of neglected tropical diseases would greatly reduce the morbidity and mortality of malaria and reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS;
* Neglected tropical diseases are at least controllable or possibly eliminable/eradicable by safe and effective drugs, donated by Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer;
* With public and private partnerships the Integrated control of neglected tropical diseases can be implemented at marginal costs of US 50 cents per person treated;


By integrating control of bilharzias; worms; elephantiasis; river blindness and trachoma the pay off is enormous. Half a billion people in Africa could have better nutrition, have more energy to attend school and work, avoid permanent disablement, serious illness or death.



Neglected tropical diseases comprise 13 parasitic and bacterial infections and are the most common afflictions of humankind (Box 1). They affect the world’s poorest people, 2.7 billion people who subsist on less than $2 per day. Each minute, a life is lost due to neglected diseases and 534,000 deaths result each year. Yet the greatest impact of these diseases are in the way they promote poverty, stigmatize, disable and inhibit individuals from being able to care for themselves or their families.

Children, women and those living in remote areas without any access to an effective health care system are most vulnerable to the deleterious affects of neglected diseases such as malnutrition, anemia, serious or permanent disability (including blindness), illness and death. Together these neglected diseases cause as much disease and suffering as malaria or tuberculosis. They are the 4th most important group of communicable diseases, behind lower respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, and diarrheal diseases. Fortunately, there are inexpensive, safe and effective treatments available for seven of the 13 diseases.