Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre for Africa - LFSCA

I guess a lot of people are deliberating on how to prevent this disease.

Firstly, we must stay away from mosquito bites through personal protection like the use of mosquito nets, repellents etc

Again, periodic examination of blood for infection and initiation of recommended treatment would help prevent the disease from manifesting.

There is a new approach to the treatment of elephantiasis !

This treatment will help alleviate the acute attacks, make your infected part healthier and prevent it from getting bigger.

The approach is very simple. 🙂.

Firstly, get your infected part washed with clean water and soap entirely.
Make sure to wash in between your toes carefully(i.e if your leg is infected) and dry the infected part with a clean dry cloth or towel.

If you have wounds on the infected part, apply anti-bacterial cream on them and rub in well.

Always make sure you wear comfortable sandals(i.e if leg is infected) ... again, try and raise the leg during the day...that is, when working, cooking,etc rest the infected leg on a stool. Also when sleeping, raise your feet slightly above your chest level by adjusting your bed.

The elevation of the infected part will help move the fluid and improve the lymph flow.

This approach must be regularly followed.

Guess what?

A person infected with elephantiasis can look normal for a long time before the disease manifests.

But I have good news for you! To avoid catching it, there are free drugs you can take to protect you from the disease.
They are ; Albendazole and ivermectin.

These two pills must be taken together to help you stay protected.

HOW CAN ONE RECOGNIZE THE DISEASE?

You should suspect you have Elephantiasis when you have the following:
1. Fever
2. Localized swelling of limbs/ sc***um

When it is fully established , you have the following:
1. Swollen legs or arms
2. Collection of fluid in the sc***um commonly called HYDROCOLE
3. Elephantiasis of the sc***um or breast.

People can only get the disease (Elephantiasis) from mosquitoes and not from other people who have it.

When a mosquito sucks the blood of an infected person, it gets infected too. Then, when it bites another healthy person , it transfers the disease(worms) to the person.

Do you know the common name for Lymphatic Filariasis is Elephantiasis and it is caused by small worms that are passed from one person to another through the bite of infected mosquitoes?

In West Africa, including Ghana,the disease is transmitted by female anopheles (mosquitoes that carries malaria).

Please share with friends to spread the awareness.

A workshop organised to manage the spread of the disease.

These are pictures of a workshop organised for Lymphatic Filariasis managers

The office of the LFSCA at Noguchi. Our main aim to to combat Lymphatic Filariasis (elephantiasis).