Fortunately, there is a vaccine for lymphatic filariasis, and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the test is still required for those who are infected with the disease, as well as people who work in health care facilities and other organizations that deal with the patient’s health. This test will also help doctors evaluate the ailment and determine if the person has a high probability of contracting the disease.
The US public health officials say that people are becoming ill with lymphatic filariasis at a significantly higher rate than normal. There are currently 100,000 cases and it seems to be on the rise. In the past, only certain parts of the country were impacted by the ailment, but today it’s expanding.
People who have been infected are constantly fighting off the virus that the immune system is creating. Even though the immune system isn’t functioning properly, the immune system is able to fight off the effects of the virus. So, unfortunately, those who have this ailment are losing the battle.
Symptoms for those who contract the disease are not typically detectable by most people. They are primarily not very noticeable, except for when it causes fever and headaches. If the symptoms begin to become obvious, the patient should consult a physician.
Some doctors will refer the patient to an annual check-up. If there are no symptoms, the doctor will use the National AIDS Institute’s test for lymphatic filariasis. Since it’s an ongoing test, the patient can go back to their doctors for regular check-ups.
People who are diagnosed with the ailment often don’t receive treatment options because they are not aware of them. If they aren’t diagnosed early, many doctors will try to treat them with medication. But, because this is a chronic illness, it is possible for the patient to have the infection to get worse and to infect others.
It’s important to get diagnosed early, because the longer a person has lymphatic filariasis, the more serious the illness can become. If not treated early, it can progress to interstitial lymphadenitis. Once that happens, there is a high chance that the person will lose control over their organs.
If you find yourself in this type of situation, your best bet for treatment is a course of medication for lymphatic filariasis. There are some medications available, but you should discuss them with your doctor first. They may recommend something else, or they may prescribe another form of treatment.
You may also want to visit your doctor on a daily basis, so he or she can monitor you. If the condition doesn’t improve after a few weeks, your doctor will order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can determine the severity of the condition, as well as the level of infectiousness the ailment has caused.
If the condition is deemed very serious, your doctor may also decide to prescribe immunosuppressive medications. These are drugs that suppress the immune system and can result in more serious health issues. The side effects of these drugs are not ideal, but they can be the best option for severe cases.
Unlike viral infections, lymphatic filariasis can have a long lasting effect. This means that if you are diagnosed with the disease early, you can receive treatment options that are often life saving.