Question 1

is elephantiasis contagious?

Accepted Answer

Not at all: Elephantiasis is the common name for stage iii lymphedema, an advanced stage of  swelling of limb. Consists hardening and deformity of the skin. It is caused by congenital malformation of the limb, injury to the lymphatics from surgery or radiation therapy, and from parasitic obstruction of lymphatic vessels. Parasites enter body from contaminated water, and are not passed from person to person.

Question 2

how is elephantiasis diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Blood test: Elephantiasis is a parasitic infection where tiny worms clog the bodies lymphatic ducts, causing massive swelling, deformity and disability. It is more common in less developed parts of the world. It is diagnosed by a combination of history, physical exam and, definitively, by identifying the worms in the blood.

Question 3

what is the condition elephantiasis?

Accepted Answer

Elephantiasis: Conditions with massive lymphedema - can be due to parasites(Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, &amp;
B. timori) or related to genetics (Proteus  Syndrome).

Question 4

what is the life expectancy for a person with elephantiasis?

Accepted Answer

Elephantiasis: Lethality from Lymphatic filariasis (one type of Elephantiasis) is low. But life expectancy due to this  infection would be largely impacted by disease severity.

Question 5

is it true that people with elephantiasis produce excessive amount of semen?

Accepted Answer

Not true: Elephantiasis classically describes a the chronic swelling and skin changes associated with lymphatic vessel obstruction.  This has nothing to do with the production of semen.

Question 6

elephantiasis: if the worm can live inside your body for up to 6 years then does the disease go away when the worm dies?

Accepted Answer

No: The physical manifestions of the disease are caused by the blockage of lymph ducts. The swelling and other manifestations of lymphedema are caused by a reaction to the filarial parasite. Many people with symptoms do not have active parasites.   Treatment by an expert in lymphedema is recomended.

Question 7

what to do if i have been researching elephantiasis but can not find out how the mosquito gets the worm in the first place?

Accepted Answer

Elephantiasis: "Mosquitoes are infected with microfilariae by ingesting blood when biting an infected host. Microfilariae mature into infective larvae within the mosquito. " See:  http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/

Question 8

is elephantiasis a genetic ?

Accepted Answer

No, a parasite: No, it is caused by parasites (roundworms).

Question 9

which organism causes elephantiasis?

Accepted Answer

Elephantiasis: Lymphatic filariasis is caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, or B. timori.

Question 10

is there a vaccine for elephantiasis?

Accepted Answer

No: There is not yet a vaccine to protect against elephantiasis, which is a disorder transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes bite infected people and acquire the parasite from infected people. Then, the infected mosquitoes bite other people and transmit the parasite to the new victims.

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Is elephantiasis contagious

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Is elephantiasis contagious?

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What is the condition elephantiasis?

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Is it true that people with elephantiasis produce excessive amount of semen?

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Elephantiasis: if the worm can live inside your body for up to 6 years then does the disease go away when the worm dies?

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What to do if i have been researching elephantiasis but can not find out how the mosquito gets the worm in the first place?

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Is elephantiasis a genetic ?

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Which organism causes elephantiasis?

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Is there a vaccine for elephantiasis?

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