Tag: tropical diseases

  • Guinea Worm Infection

    Guinea Worm Infection Definition and Description of Guinea Worm Infection Guinea Worm Infection, caused by the parasitic worm Dracunculus medinensis, is a devastating disease primarily affecting individuals in rural areas of Africa. The infection usually occurs when a person drinks contaminated water containing larvae that are released by tiny water fleas, known as Cyclops. Once…

  • Elephantiasis

    Elephantiasis Definition and Description of Elephantiasis Elephantiasis is a pathological condition characterized by the abnormal enlargement of body parts, most commonly the limbs and genitals. This condition is primarily caused by the obstruction of the lymphatic system due to parasitic infections, specifically lymphatic filariasis, which is caused by thread-like worms transmitted through mosquito bites. The…

  • Chagas Disease

    Chagas Disease Definition and Description of Chagas Disease Chagas Disease, also known as American Trypanosomiasis, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Initially described by Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas in 1909, the disease primarily affects the heart, intestines, and nervous system. Transmission commonly occurs through the bite of infected triatomine…

  • CHIK

    CHIK Definition and Description of CHIK CHIK, or Chikungunya, is a viral disease transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, especially Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The term “chikungunya” is derived from a word in the Makonde language that means “to become contorted,” referring to the debilitating joint pain it causes. This condition was first identified in…

  • Canefield Fever

    Canefield Fever Definition and Description of Canefield Fever Canefield Fever, often referred to as a vector-borne disease, is primarily associated with the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. It is characterized by a sudden onset of fever accompanied by various systemic symptoms. The term ‘Canefield Fever’ is derived from its significant…

  • Arbovirus A Chikungunya Type

    Arbovirus A Chikungunya Type Definition and Description of Arbovirus A Chikungunya Type Arbovirus A Chikungunya Type, commonly referred to simply as Chikungunya, is a viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. The term “Arbovirus” refers to a group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods, including mosquitoes and…