I will define it, give the cause, and go through the whole process of the cause. I will also name some symptoms and characteristics, explain how it is diagnosed, give treatment options, and tell you what can be done to prevent this disease and the spread of it. I will also mention the support group that I was able to find that is doing all that they can to eliminate the disease. .
Elephantiasis is also known as Lymphatic Filariasis. Elephantiasis is a disease of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of channels, lymph nodes, and organs that help to maintain proper fluid levels in the body by draining lymph from tissues into the bloodstream. It is also a chronic infectious condition that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is characterized by the enormous enlargement of the affected area. It is a very rare disorder, and is most common in tropical countries.
Elephantiasis most frequently involves the lower extremities of the body and the scrotum. The most common affected area on the body is the legs. It can also affect the arms, the breasts, the scrotum, the penis and the vulva. Elephantiasis gets its name from the obvious appearance of the skin of the legs which resembles the hide of an elephant. The pictures that I was able to locate on-line really show how closely the human leg that is infected with elephantiasis truly looks like the leg of an actual elephant. .
The first telltale sign of elephantiasis is usually the extreme grotesque swelling of the lymph nodes and other limbs. Although signs and symptoms aren't always seen right after infection with the micro filarial occurs. The delay of the signs and symptoms showing is due to the four to six year life span of the worm that causes the elephantiasis. The worms often lay dormant for approximately three years in the infected human. The symptoms therefore are often not in line with the time of the infections.