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Suggest Treatment For Guinea Worm Disease
Question: Hi.. My uncle (70 yrs old - from Vasai) is suffering from Guinea Worm Disease. Its very painful and many doctors said they don't treat and it can be treated in the government hospital only. Today mostly my relatives are taking him to the doctor who seems treats on this disease.
He doesn't have any other problems like diabetes, BP etc etc.
But, I just want to know more about this disease. As per google and few sources, i could make out that, there is no such treatment for this and worm has to get pulled out without breaking etc.
Is it non-curable? I am worried.
He doesn't have any other problems like diabetes, BP etc etc.
But, I just want to know more about this disease. As per google and few sources, i could make out that, there is no such treatment for this and worm has to get pulled out without breaking etc.
Is it non-curable? I am worried.
Brief Answer:
it is curable but a difficult procedure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthcareMagic .
As you asked let me tell you some details about this disease. This is a type of disease which is caused by drinking water contaminated with infected fleas. After infection after roughly 1 yr symptoms start appearing as female worm is developed and it is allergic .
Presence of worms from a wound is enough to diagnose this disease. There may or may not be associated symptoms.
Don't worry it is not life threatening disease but what the wound is formed may get infected by bacteria and cause problem. Since he is non diabetic this chances is less.
It may be cured but time consuming and difficult. There are no drug or vaccination for this. These worms grow quite big so the treatment inculdes-
-Controlled putting of wound into water which release many larve and also loosens worm and make it easy to remove.
-as you have already mentioned, yes the main treatment is manual removal of worm with a stick or gauze without breaking.
-continue painkiller and wound care till it persisit
- if worms are broken then those bits may decay and increase bacterial infections.
When worm are removed completely then following care need to be taken to prevent recurrence
-avoid putting wound in water
-drink clean and filtered water
-keep the source of water clean
Hope I have answered your query. If any further queries are there I would love to help .
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
it is curable but a difficult procedure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HealthcareMagic .
As you asked let me tell you some details about this disease. This is a type of disease which is caused by drinking water contaminated with infected fleas. After infection after roughly 1 yr symptoms start appearing as female worm is developed and it is allergic .
Presence of worms from a wound is enough to diagnose this disease. There may or may not be associated symptoms.
Don't worry it is not life threatening disease but what the wound is formed may get infected by bacteria and cause problem. Since he is non diabetic this chances is less.
It may be cured but time consuming and difficult. There are no drug or vaccination for this. These worms grow quite big so the treatment inculdes-
-Controlled putting of wound into water which release many larve and also loosens worm and make it easy to remove.
-as you have already mentioned, yes the main treatment is manual removal of worm with a stick or gauze without breaking.
-continue painkiller and wound care till it persisit
- if worms are broken then those bits may decay and increase bacterial infections.
When worm are removed completely then following care need to be taken to prevent recurrence
-avoid putting wound in water
-drink clean and filtered water
-keep the source of water clean
Hope I have answered your query. If any further queries are there I would love to help .
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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