Filariasis

Lymphatic Filariasis

What is Lymphatic Filariasis?

Lymphatic Filariasis is an infection inside the lymphatic which is caused the parasites the live there. Filariasis is the disease which is transmitted when bitten by infected mosquitoes that carries the parasites.

What drugs can protect us against Filariasis?

Diethylcarbamazine Citrate combined with Albendazole is the mass treatment drugs that can protect us from being infected by filariasis. This shall be taken once a year for 5 consecutive years. This is so because of the filaricidal effects of the combined drugs. It has also effects on the intestinal helminthes that are usually present among children and even adults.

What’s the reason for taking the drugs for five (5) consecutive years?

The microfilaria or the baby filarial parasites that are found in the peripheral blood of human beings should be suppressed in order to minimize or prevent its transmission. However, the suppression of microfilarimia is a lengthy process that’s why administering of drugs should be long term as five consecutive years.

Who are the people that should take the mass treatment drugs?

The people staying in the place which has been long affected by the disease should take the mass treatment drugs. This includes people of all ages except for pregnant, children below 2 years old and those who are very ill.

What are the side effects of the mass treatment drugs?

The drugs have only mild effects on the persons infected with filariasis. This is usually felt by the infected persons because of the death of the microfilaria or the baby filarial parasites. The filariasis infected persons who are taking mass treatment drugs may feel abdominal pain and nausea; vomiting and dizziness; headache and fever; rashes and skin roughness; and present of pass out worms in their stool of some children. These are the common side effects but can be manageable if symptoms appear.

What are the effects of MDA when taken by sick persons?

Infection persons should take MDA pills even they have mild illness. However, they should discontinue taking the drugs in case of some complication such as kidney and/ or heart failure.

Cautions on MDA pills when taken by pregnant women

It is safe to administer Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) and Albendazole as treatment to pregnant women. However, the treatment must be delayed until the women have already given birth.

Cautions on MDA pills when taken by lactating mothers

Yes, it is safe, however to avoid any incident that may be blamed to the MDA it is advised to stop breastfeeding for 72 hours after taking the pills.

Schedule for taking the MDA pills
In the Philippine, the MDA is scheduled every November of each year as per the Executive Order 369 of 2004 that was signed by the President.

Who were authorized to give the drugs?

In each place, there were authorized and assigned people who will give the drugs as such: health staff, personnel sellers, trained volunteers and Barangay Health Workers.

What is the manner of giving or delivering the drugs?

The drugs will be delivered by the assigned people by house to house, health centers, health fairs and other fixed sites that will be announced to the public.

Are the MDA pills medically approved?

MDA pills are both approved the international and local medical /health authorities. The American Food and Drug Administration and BFAD have approval for Albendazole as treatment worm. While Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) has been here in the Philippines since 1950 for treatment of filariasis.