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Suggest Treatment For Lymphatic Filariasis
Question: My father has been suffering from "lymphatic filariasis" for last twenty years.He is on regular dose of DEC, but still fever tends to repeat on regular basis(fifteen days or so) which ultimately results in taste impairment for several days .Also, doctors have conflicting opinion on the consumption of curd/yogurt ,bananas and citric fruits.Some of them suggests to avoid yogurt totally while others vouch for it's effectiveness.Would like to have an opinion on effective treatment and dietary options.
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Please give details and post actual reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about your Father and understood the concerns.
Please give some additional information for me to assist you and your Father better:
- Is Filariasis proved by blood slide or any other tests?
- Which part is affected?
- For how many days the course of DEC done?
- Why is it repeated?
- What is the pattern of fever? how many time that is duration and frequency?
- What are the other symptoms at the time of fever? - any swelling of salivary glands?
- Please post clear and focused photos of the affected parts?
Curd/yogurt, bananas, citric fruits: Why are these asked to take? Is there any problem your Father getting after consumption of these?
Please give relevant information.
Awaiting for your details and photos.
Please give details and post actual reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about your Father and understood the concerns.
Please give some additional information for me to assist you and your Father better:
- Is Filariasis proved by blood slide or any other tests?
- Which part is affected?
- For how many days the course of DEC done?
- Why is it repeated?
- What is the pattern of fever? how many time that is duration and frequency?
- What are the other symptoms at the time of fever? - any swelling of salivary glands?
- Please post clear and focused photos of the affected parts?
Curd/yogurt, bananas, citric fruits: Why are these asked to take? Is there any problem your Father getting after consumption of these?
Please give relevant information.
Awaiting for your details and photos.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
I will try to answer your questions one by one:
1. Is Filariasis proved by blood slide or any other tests? - Yes was proven way back in 1995-96.
2.Which part is affected?- Both of the lower limbs.
3. For how many days the course of DEC done?-1 year, 3 tablets a day
4.What is the pattern of fever? how many time that is duration and frequency? -Fever repeats in 10-15 days,remains for 1-2 days
5. What are the other symptoms at the time of fever? - any swelling of salivary glands?-The only visible symptom during the fever is redness and swelling of affected areas(both of the lower limbs) and increase in sleep hours.No swelling of salivary glands.
6.Photos:I will attach in the reports.Regarding the consumption of aforementioned food,my father has not faced any problem on their consumption but on suggestion of doctors my father has been avoiding them.
I will try to answer your questions one by one:
1. Is Filariasis proved by blood slide or any other tests? - Yes was proven way back in 1995-96.
2.Which part is affected?- Both of the lower limbs.
3. For how many days the course of DEC done?-1 year, 3 tablets a day
4.What is the pattern of fever? how many time that is duration and frequency? -Fever repeats in 10-15 days,remains for 1-2 days
5. What are the other symptoms at the time of fever? - any swelling of salivary glands?-The only visible symptom during the fever is redness and swelling of affected areas(both of the lower limbs) and increase in sleep hours.No swelling of salivary glands.
6.Photos:I will attach in the reports.Regarding the consumption of aforementioned food,my father has not faced any problem on their consumption but on suggestion of doctors my father has been avoiding them.
Brief Answer:
Can be venous and/or lymphatic, needs further evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and photograph.
After carefully reviewing the answers and seeing the photograph my opinion would be as follows:
Filariasis was diagnosed in 1995-96, way back. I would have thought of repeat investigations for filariasis as well as for other possible conditions.
The photos shows edema in toes also and this does not occur in lymphedema.
The disease is in both lower limbs and limited to the distal parts only and also showing blue line indicating enlarged veins.
The legs are also showing old scars, healed wounds, white patches.
I would advise your Father the following:
- Venous color doppler of both limbs and also for the inguinal lymph nodes.
- Repeat the filaria tests when he gets fever.
- If the redness is in general this is more like cellulitis as the filariasis attack will show red streaks as per the distribution of lymphatics. Hence Ultrasound and color doppler at the time of symptoms will be more apt.
- Get the blood tests during attack: CBC, culture and sensitivity, filaria.
- Urine tests as there is recurrent attack of fever.
- Any other tests as per the opinion of a Specialist on clinical evaluation and examination.
I hope these things will give us more appropriate diagnosis and a plan of proper treatment.
Let us be certain about the proper diagnosis.
As for the foods. One eats or drinks anything that suits him, stop anything that instigates or enhances the problems.
When in doubt or dilemma, stop those things as asked by his Doctors.
Can be venous and/or lymphatic, needs further evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback and photograph.
After carefully reviewing the answers and seeing the photograph my opinion would be as follows:
Filariasis was diagnosed in 1995-96, way back. I would have thought of repeat investigations for filariasis as well as for other possible conditions.
The photos shows edema in toes also and this does not occur in lymphedema.
The disease is in both lower limbs and limited to the distal parts only and also showing blue line indicating enlarged veins.
The legs are also showing old scars, healed wounds, white patches.
I would advise your Father the following:
- Venous color doppler of both limbs and also for the inguinal lymph nodes.
- Repeat the filaria tests when he gets fever.
- If the redness is in general this is more like cellulitis as the filariasis attack will show red streaks as per the distribution of lymphatics. Hence Ultrasound and color doppler at the time of symptoms will be more apt.
- Get the blood tests during attack: CBC, culture and sensitivity, filaria.
- Urine tests as there is recurrent attack of fever.
- Any other tests as per the opinion of a Specialist on clinical evaluation and examination.
I hope these things will give us more appropriate diagnosis and a plan of proper treatment.
Let us be certain about the proper diagnosis.
As for the foods. One eats or drinks anything that suits him, stop anything that instigates or enhances the problems.
When in doubt or dilemma, stop those things as asked by his Doctors.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks doc for your response.My father will soon get himself tested as you mentioned.I just had a small doubt.As I have already mentioned in the medical history that my father also has Eczema affecting almost the same region (lower limb) as that of filaria. The toe edema that you mentioned in your response might have been due to Eczema.What is your opinion?
Brief Answer:
Toes are spared in lymphatic edema.
Detailed Answer:
Eczema is secondary to the edema as it changes the character of the skin and thus easily exposed to any skin disease, wounds and infection.
Toes get edematous in venous and such causes.
Toes are spared in lymphatic edema.
Awaiting for the reports.
Shall be happy to assist you further.
Toes are spared in lymphatic edema.
Detailed Answer:
Eczema is secondary to the edema as it changes the character of the skin and thus easily exposed to any skin disease, wounds and infection.
Toes get edematous in venous and such causes.
Toes are spared in lymphatic edema.
Awaiting for the reports.
Shall be happy to assist you further.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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