Rebecca Thomas
10/17/15
Ms. Jennrich Global Health HSM 210
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as Elephantiasis, is a tropical disease which causes major damage to the lymphatic system. The lymph system in the human body maintains the balance of fluids as well as battles infections. This disease is caused by a type of parasite called nematodes (roundworms), which are microscopic worms which slither their way inside the affected people’s bodies and harbor there. It usually is transmitted during childhood, but the major physical issues only arise once that child reaches his adult years. From person to person, lymphatic filariasis is spread by mosquitos. However, for one to actually have lymphatic filariasis, they would have to be bitten over
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It can either be asymptomatic, acute, or chronic. Although most people associate lymphatic filariasis with its physical symptoms, it typically shows no visible symptoms in a patient. However, in its early stages it does continue to damage the immune system, kidneys, and lymphatic system. Acute lymphatic filariasis stems from either a direct reaction to the parasite or from a bacterial infection the nematodes cause. These acute flares involve irritation and swelling of the skin, lymph nodes, and lymphatic system. Chronic lymphatic filariasis is characterized by swelling of the limb tissue which can be accompanied by elephantiasis, thickening and hardening of the skin and scrotal tissue as well. Lymphedema is the true name for the physical form of the condition. Due to the damage to the lymphatic system, fluid will begin to collect abnormally and cause major swelling. This inflammation is most common in the legs, but can also occur in the arms, breasts, and …show more content…
In terms of Elephantiasis, it turns the affected person into a walking spectacle and a leper of sorts. Elephantiasis is the name associated with this physical form of the condition for a reason; it turns human limbs into looking similar to the limbs of an elephant. This deformity cripples those affected to the point where they are categorized as physically disabled. Once these people become physically disabled, they begin to suffer financial losses as well. Essentially, this disease causes the deterioration of both the mind and the body. One ends up undergoing poverty as well as emotional distress from being neglected by
Due to this disease the body is slowly broken down by affecting the central nervous system of a person’s body. The children depicted in the essay are probably an example how fellow human beings should be around a disabled person. They just view the disabled person as another human being and respect them the same way. The children are proud to associate themselves with Mairs and do not shy away from introducing her to the general public. This is what a disabled person requires: that all those around him or her should respect them for what they are and give them unconditional regard
While reading the short story, the author demonstrates that Pauline, the protagonist is having a hard time. At first, Anne Carter uses the main character to show us that her transformation helps her from reaching her dream. Also, the author employs contrasting characters to mention the current state of Pauline’s safety and ambition. At last, Laurel uses settings to show us that the protagonist is ready to sacrifice her safety to attain her dream. Finally, Anne’s point is aimed at everyone, not only people who have a difficult body condition, but also the people that desperately want to achieve their dream. To read a story that deals with this theme makes us realize that it is not everyone that can accomplish what they really want in their
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva also known as FOP is a one of the rarest, most disabling genetic bone conditions known to medicine. FOP causes muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues to turn in to bone. Movement becomes limited in the affected areas of the body. People with FOP typically have malformed toes at birth, meaning the big toe is typically shorter than normal and abnormally turned outward in a position called a valgus deviation. Symptoms of FOP start to show up in early childhood. Most people with FOP develop painful tumor-like swellings also known as fibrous nodules. The fibrous nodules are visible on the neck, shoulders, and back.
These recurrent nodules and abscesses not only cause pain, but self-consciousness, social isolation and even depression. Other less common complications include severe infections, restricted movement caused by a buildup of fibrosis and a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
In Peyronie's disease, tough, fibrous plaques spontaneously appear within the tunica albugenia, and are felt as tender lumps. When the penis becomes erect, it inflates unevenly and tends to bend around the plaque, causing the characteristic deformed appearance of Peyronie's disease.
The most common way this disease is transmitted from one animal to the next is through mosquitoes. A mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites a dog and transmits the infection to them. The larvae grow, develop, and migrate in the body over a period of 6 to 7 months, in which time they become sexually mature male and female worms. this is the prepatent period. The worms then reside in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. The worms begin to mate and release microfilaria into the blood stream. When a mosquito bites an infected dog it takes in some of the microfilaria in the blood. After 10 to 30 days there is larvae in the mosquito’s salivary gland which can then be passed on to the next dog the mosquito bites.
After reading both of these stories, it becomes apparent how easily people become treated differently just because they have certain visible deformities. Freda lives her life ashamed of what she looks like and basically becomes a hermit to society. Both Angela and Freda experience the daily struggle of living with such a severe disease causing them to have to become stronger individuals. Both of these people started off with a pretty positive view on life and ended up being swallowed up by their disease causing their lonely demises.
Symptoms of elephantiasis are enlargement and swelling of a part of the body due to the blockage of the lymphatic nodes. The lymphatic system is not able to take out the extra fluid of the body which causes an accumulation of body fluid. The arms and legs are the most affected areas in the body. It can swell to more than three times of its normal shape. Affected areas will have malformed shapes; skin and tissue will become thick and appear to look like an elephant’s leg. The skin of the affected areas becomes extremely dry, thickened (hyperkeratosis), and discolored. Other symptoms may include Fever, chills, and a feeling of sickness. Elephantiasis may affect the male and female external genital area. Some male suffer from enlargement of the scrotum, in some cases scrotum can become abnormally enlarged and can weigh over 100 lb. The penis may be hidden under the skin. In some women the external area of the genitalia will appear thickened and ulcerated rough skin may develop. The breasts may become enlarged. Infected individuals are susceptible to bacterial and fungal due to the damage of the lymphatic system. Infections may become worsen due to the lack of immunity caused by a damaged lymphatic system. People affected by this disease may experience severe pain and a burning
This disgusting worm parasite is spread by flies and mosquitoes. The adult worm spreads its larvae throughout the host’s lymphatic system and causes the lymph nodes to become clogged up. This also makes the tissue in the host’s body to swell up and create massive muscle deformations, otherwise known as elephantiasis. The elephantiasis mainly affects the legs and genitals. The disease also affects the eyes but that can be easily detected through close inspection but it commonly causes river blindness in the host. It’s been estimated that the parasite is one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world.
Lyme disease is one of the seven most common diseases reported in the United States to the CDC annually (www.cdc.gov). The rates have gone from 10,000 cases in 1992 to over 30,000 cases in 2009. 95% of these cases were found in the northeast and Midwest regions of the United States (Committee on Lyme Disease, 2011) . More cases happen in this area of the country due to the close proximity of deer to population. The bite itself isn’t the problem, rather the pathogen being spread in mammals from the bite. Lyme disease occurs when a tick penetrates the skin of mammals and the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi enters. Borrelia burgdorferi is carried by ticks named the Ixodes dammini, which is the main vector for Lyme disease. These may also be known as I. scapularis, and may be found on deer (Schilling-McCann, 2010). ¬¬¬In addition to Lyme Disease, ticks may also carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Tularemia (Smeltzer et al, 2010).
You wouldn’t think the carrier of this disease would come from a little mosquito bite but it does.
This disease has many symptoms. These symptoms are similar or same to many other illnesses. That is the reason why many doctors get confused when they were researching this disease. There are three stages of symptoms for the disease. In the first stage, the Erythema Migrans, a bull’s eye rash might appear on the bitten area. In the second stage, the Disseminated Lyme Disease, you may experience a fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, muscle ache, and general malaise. In the third stage, the Chronic Lyme Disease, you may experience aching joints.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. It was first observed in a cluster of children from Lyme, Connecticut who presented with symptoms of arthritis. The sickness is created by Borrelia burgdorferi, sensu stricto, which was initially recognized in 1982. In spite of the fact that the greater part of cases are accounted for from the northeastern, north focal, and Pacific waterfront districts of the nation, a few hundred cases every year are accounted for from the southern United States. People and a few creatures get this illness when they are bitten by ticks tainted with borrelia burgdorferi.
Tourists enjoy visiting the mountains of Rwanda to admire the gorillas and encourage their safety; however, humans help put mountain gorillas at risk. In 1999, a team of researchers with the Journal of Parasitology noted roundworm parasites in the feces of mountain gorillas (Ferber, 2000). These parasites normally affect only humans through contaminated water. Early, in 1988, blood and tissue samples of several mountain gorillas indicated measles infection (Ferber, 2000).
John Merrick, a man so pathetic and helpless because of the curse of his extremely disfigured body he carries around with him. Lots of people are born with some deformity or another, but none such as the case of John Merrick, in other words, ‘The Elephant Man’ who was given this name because he was so deformed he resembled an extremely ugly elephant. The movie shows how John Merrick is marginalized not only by the general public, but also the poorest of people to such an extent that his life was a misery. This movie shows how cynical people can be towards fellow human beings. His abnormalities did not even allow him to take a walk in the garden by day light as the common society looked at him with complete disgust. Although John suffers much, he manages to win a few hearts with the help of his ‘friend’, Dr. Frederick Treves, and when he was content with his life he commits suicide.