Medical complication of the tropics

December 7, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: When my husband was stationed in the Philippines, he contracted filariasis, which was diagnosed after seeing dozens and dozens of doctors over 18 years. Can the disease affect his kidneys and other organs of the body? He knows it has already damaged his lymph nodes. Any information you can give on this subject will be appreciated.

DEAR READER: It appears your husband was diagnosed with lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic infection from filarial worms that are threadlike in appearance and common in the tropics. Only the adult worms live in the human lymphatic system. There are three species of filarial parasites that inhabit the human lymphatic system. Each has distinct differences in appearance and calls for different treatment. All three can cause significant dermal damage, with the major symptom affecting the lymphatic system.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , ,

Daily Column

September 4, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to know if you have any information on elephantiasis. I was diagnosed with this affliction in May 2007.

DEAR READER:
I had my work cut out when I decided to answer your question.

Elephantiasis is a hardening and thickening of the skin caused by bacterial infections of the skin and lymph system. It is the result of several lymph system disorders.
The most common cause is Filariasis or Lymphatic Filariasis which is a parasitic infection caused by microscopic worms and affects over 120 million people in the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia, the Western Pacific, Africa and parts of South America and the Caribbean. According to the CDC you CANNOT get infected within the United States.

It can also be caused by repeated contact with volcanic ash. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,