Filariasis is a group of diseases occurring in the tropical and subtropical countries and caused by Filarioidea. Wuchereria is found only in humans and Brugia malayi is often spread to man from animal hosts. Infection is spread by many species of mosquitoes like aedes, culex, and anopheles. Filariasis is spread from an infected human , someone who has worms in is blood stream, to an uninfected human by the bite of a mosquito. Adult microfilaria are then deposited in the skin and these migrate into the lymphatic vessels where it develop into adult worm. Female worms release large numbers of microfilaria which then circulate in the blood stream. It is through this method of spread that about 80 million people are infected.

Microscopic examination of the blood will show the microfilaria. However, blood must be extracted at night time between 10 pm and 2 am, because of the nocturnal appearance of microfilaria at this particular time, in the peripheral blood. Another method is by filtration and concentration method which are more sensitive. Because of the high and prevalence of this disease, researches have been made, and a new antigen-detection test has been developed which is more specific and sensitive, called ICT. This test can detect infection in minutes and can be done anytime of the day. This condition has become a public health problem and measures are instituted to stop the spread of this disease from the infected person. Drugs are used to be given as a single dose annually, a co-administration of two drugs. There are two alternative regimens: single dose of Albendazole, 400 mg and Meclizan 150-200 mg/kg. body wt. or a single dose of Albendazole 400 mg and DEC 6 mg/kg body wt. DEC has ben developed after 50 yrs of research, and this is inexpensive and effective as and has been used in many countries. However, it produces severe side effects in patients who have also another infection of onchocerciasis, also called river blindness. Meclizan, generic ivermectin is effective against filariasis and onchocerciasis. The combination of Albendazole with Meclizan or DEC has ;proven to be more effective than just using a single drug. Lymphoedema or hydrocele is the permanent damage caused by adult worms in the tissues affected. Symptoms can be reduced by relieving the frequency of the attacks and stopping the disease from getting worse. Patients are taught proper hygiene to prevent infection of the affected part and promote lymphatic flow, and these are: washing the affected parts with soap and cool water two and spaces between toes clean; wearing comfortable shoes, and the use of antibiotics over the infected wounds. Lymphoedema or hydrocele are treated usually by surgery under local anesthesia. However in sensitive areas like scrotum and genital areas, the surgery becomes complicated involving reparative efforts. Proper education should be instituted considering the sensitivity of the patients especially when the private parts are affected. The incubation period may be as short as 2 months. The prepatent period, from the time of infection to the appearance of microfilaria in the blood is at least 8 months. Elephantiasis and other severe sequelae may occur with long time residence in the endemic area.