 Elephantiasis is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in legs and male genitals.  In some cases the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball.  Elephantiasis is caused by mosquitos.

 Elephantiasis is caused by different mosquitos and different types of microorganisms which includes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugiamalayi, and B.timori.  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 list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Elephantiasis includes the 10 symptoms listed below:  Severe swelling  Blocked lymph ducts  Massive leg swelling  Impaired lymphatic drainage  Thickened skin tissue  Fibrotic skin tissue  Brawny skin color  Skin ulceration  Pebbly skin appearance  Verrucous skin appearance

 An estimated 6.6 million children have been prevented from being infected, with another estimated 9.5 million in whom the progress of the disease has been stopped. You can avoid having this disease by preventing the bite of this mosquito.

 Another form of effective treatment involves rigorous cleaning of the affected areas of the body.  A vaccine is not yet available but is likely to be developed in the near future.  Antibiotics are used in cases of infection.  Treatment consists of consistent shoe- wearing (to avoid contact with the irritant soil) and hygiene - daily soaking in water with an antiseptic (such as bleach) added, washing the feet and legs with soap and water, application of ointment, and in some cases, wearing elastic bandages.

 This disease is more likely to find in Africa, Asia and in South America.  Lymphatic filariasis affects over 120 million people, primarily in Africa and South- East Asia, with about 40 million disfigured and incapacitated by the disease  It is one of the most common causes of disability in the world.  In endemic communities, approximately 10 percent of women can be affected with swollen limbs and 50 percent of men can suffer from mutilating genital disease.

 According to medical experts the worldwide efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis is on track to potentially be successful by  A vaccine to be developed in the near future.  To finish this disease and to save as much people as we can from this disease.  A high rate has been shown as a result of saving people from around the world from this disease.

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