NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE: (PART 3).

NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES THAT AFFECT PEOPLE:

Dave Ikiedei Asei

01/02/2023

In part 1 & 2 of the  series we have identified Neglected diseases as a group of tropical diseases that primarily affect populations in low- and middle-income countries. 

We also saw that these diseases are often neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and health systems due to the limited financial incentives and difficulty in treating and diagnosing the diseases in resource-limited setting.

Today we shall talk about other neglected diseases and how to protect yourself from them. The first one is what we call leprosy.

WHAT IS LEPROSY?

INTRODUCTION:

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves.

There is currently no cure for leprosy, but it can be effectively treated and managed with a combination of antibiotics. Multi-drug therapy (MDT) is the recommended treatment for leprosy, which typically involves a combination of three antibiotics (dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine) taken for six to twelve months.

To prevent the spread of leprosy, it is important to identify and treat infected individuals as early as possible. Practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals can also help reduce the risk of transmission. Additionally, regular health check-ups and early diagnosis are important for controlling the spread of the disease.

Leprosy can cause a wide range of symptoms, including skin lesions, nerve damage, and muscle weakness.

The disease can also lead to disabilities, such as blindness and loss of feeling in the hands and feet, if left untreated.

Early detection and treatment of leprosy can prevent the development of these disabilities and improve the quality of life for those affected.

It is important to note that leprosy is not highly contagious and can only be transmitted through prolonged and close contact with an infected individual.

Leprosy is most commonly found in developing countries, particularly in areas with poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem by the year 2035, through increased access to treatment, increased awareness and early diagnosis, and improved living conditions in affected communities

WHAT IS SCHISTOSOMIASIS (SNAIL FEVER) AND WHY IT MATTERS:

INTRODUCTION:

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, is a neglected tropical disease that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. This chronic infection caused by parasitic worms (or helminths) has devastating consequences to individuals and families infected with this disease – leading to disability, poverty, malnutrition and even death in extreme cases. Despite its heavy toll on global health, awareness about schistsosomiasis remains relatively low globally. The goal of this blog post is thus to describe what schitsomsaosis is and why it matters for public health today.

WHAT IS SCHISTOSOMIASIS?

Schitstisomaisis is an infectious disorder caused by several species of blood flukes belonging ti the genus Schistomoiosis found throughout tropical regions such as sub-Saharan Africa ,the Middle East India parts of South America .

The parasite lives inside freshwater snails where they reproduce asexually and spread into open waterways when infected snails hatch their larvae(cercariae). Humans are then exposed through contact with infested water which can penetrate skin while swimming, boating or washing clothes etc.

Exposure occurs primarily during recreational activities although severe outbreaks have occurred due to drinking contaminated urban waste water. Once cercariae penetrate epidermal tissue they develop into immature adult male/female worm pairs, within 5-8 weeks. Subsequently,  these worms travel thorugh veins, enter the livers eggs which pass out into ocean surroundings generally returning back via either faecal matter, urine, depending upon the particular species infecting the hosts with intensity.

 Depending on the levels of severity bearing potential danger including septicemia neurological hepatic derangements, diarrheic conditions, hematuria myalgia, pulmonary hypertension anel sepsicing efects plaguing normal day activities. It reduces the quality life outcomes substantially if it is left untreated. Morbidity, mortality attributed tSCHISTOSOMIASISo  major economic burden among hosting state resources.

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS:

The Symptoms associated with schistosomiasis range from mild to severe nature commonly characterized by generalized set of nonspecific symptoms. Such low grade fevers raised uncontrolled anemias, vomiting,, various degrees of abdominal discomfort, changes in bowel movements, weight loss, blotted lymph, nodes, swollen anesthetic etc.

 Accurate diagnosis, stipules, physical and clinical examination, specialized blood biochemical tests, sophisticated imaging analytical technique, diagnose presence proliferative larval activity.  Detect amount of body fluids,  increasng serological responses, examination offering diagnosticgold standard.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES :

Treatment regime often focused on alleviating symptom of pain rather than rapid eradication, whereas prophylaxis aimed attaining wave,  dry complications including acute and sub infections are areas where diseases endemic administration schedule  a single dose drug called dovamed ol.