Filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection caused due to Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. It is commonly known as Elephantiasis.

India contributes about 40% of the total global burden. About 553 million people are at risk and approximately 21 million people are affected with filariasis. (Source: Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis with special reference to urogenital-manifestations)

Filariasis spreads to you from an infected person through a mosquito bite. The parasite enters into your lymphatic system and multiplies.

Types of Filariasis

• Lymphatic filariasis.
• Subcutaneous filariasis.
• Serous cavity filariasis.

Signs and Symptoms of Filariasis

Initially, you will not notice any signs and symptoms. It may take a year or two for the manifestation of clinical features.

• Fever with chills.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Swelling of limbs and genitals.
• Thickening of skin and underlying tissues.
• Itching with skin rashes.
• Joint and muscular pain.
• Pain abdomen in serous cavity filariasis.

Management of Filariasis

In Ayurveda, Filariasis is termed as Shleepada.

• Shleepada Gajakesari rasa, Nityananda rasa, Pippali, Punarnava, Punarnava guggulu, Triphala guggulu, Kaishore guggulu, Arogyavardhini rasa, etc are beneficial.
• Abhyanga with Vidangadi taila and lepa with Manjistha will reduce itching and inflammation.
• Treatment procedures like Swedana, Virechana, Lepa and Raktamokshana will help to reduce the swelling.

Dos and Don’ts

• Keep yourself warm.
• Do exercise to reduce swelling.
• Elevate your limbs while sleeping to reduce swelling.
• Restrict intake of milk and its products.
• Restrict consumption of cold water
• Avoid exposure to cold breeze.
• Include horse gram, barley, turmeric, moringa, bitter gourd and radish in your diet.
• Maintain personal hygiene, chances of bacterial and fungal infection is more and dangerous. You can wash the affected area with decoction prepared of triphala.

Prevention of Filariasis

• Wear full sleeve and full-length dress when going out during night time.
• Use a mosquito net while sleeping.
• Use mosquito repellants.
• Keep your surrounding tidy by removing garbage and stagnant water.

Even though Filariasis is not a life-threatening disease, early intervention is needed for the betterment of the patient. Once the disease becomes chronic it is very difficult to reduce the swelling.

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