
What is River Blindness and How is it Treated?
River blindness is caused by a parasitic worm called Onchocerca volvulus that’s transmitted to humans by blackflies (Simulium species). The disease occurs mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and a few isolated areas in Latin America.
You can get river blindness if you’re bitten repeatedly by infected Simulium blackflies that live and breed near fast-flowing rivers. You can develop symptoms for months or years after being bitten.
What is river blindness?
River blindness is a neglected tropical disease that can cause disfigurement, blindness, and life-threatening illness. It is caused by a small thread-like parasite that infects the human body, especially the eyes.
It is transmitted by the bites of infected black flies, which breed in fast-flowing rivers and streams near remote villages where people rely on agriculture. The filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus passes on the infection through these bites.
The worms reproduce in the body, causing intense itching, skin rashes, and eye disease. In severe cases, the worms can also damage the cornea of the eye and cause sight loss.
To treat river blindness, the Carter Center works with national ministries of health in Latin America and Africa. Using health education and sustainable, community-led mass drug administration, these programs are working to eliminate the disease in regions.
What are the symptoms of river blindness?
River blindness is an infection that causes intense itching, skin discolouration, rashes, and eye disease that often leads to permanent blindness. It’s caused by a parasitic worm called Onchocerca volvulus and is spread to humans by the bite of infected black flies that breed along fast-flowing rivers or streams close to villages.
The most common symptom of onchocerciasis is severe itching that lasts for weeks or months and can be very painful. Other symptoms include skin discolouration, rashes, and light sensitivity that may cause blurred vision or loss of central vision.
How is river blindness diagnosed?
If you’ve travelled to an area with a high risk of river blindness, it’s important to get diagnosed as soon as possible. This can help prevent serious skin damage and vision problems.
Once the worm enters the skin through the bite wound, it will grow and multiply inside tiny bumps on your skin for up to 12 to 18 months. It then migrates to different parts of your body.
The condition can be diagnosed through a series of tests that look for changes in the skin and eyes that are typically seen in patients with the disease. These include excised skin nodules, punch biopsies, and immunological testing for antibodies that develop early in the infection.
Does ivermectin cure river blindness?
It’s not known whether ivermectin can cure river blindness. However, it has been used to treat people who have the disease for 40 years and has been a key part of the world’s efforts to win the fight against this debilitating and fatal infection.
Ivermectin is a safe drug that works by binding to parts inside the parasite and paralyzing them, killing them or stopping adult parasites from making larvae for a while. It’s taken on an empty stomach, usually as a single dose of water.
Ivermectin is used for the treatment of river blindness to kill the microfilariae and prevent their release by adult worms. This is done by community-led mass drug administration of ivermectin on an annual basis for 10-15 years, the length of the worm’s life cycle to ensure that all microfilariae in circulation are killed.
Where can I buy ivermectin for humans?
Ivermectin is an antihelminthic medication that is used to eradicate parasites like scabies, strongyloidiasis, and ascariasis among others. It is also used to treat a number of viral infections in humans.
The drug can be purchased in many different forms, including oral tablets, creams, and lotions. Each form treats a different infection. It works by binding to parts inside the parasite and paralyzing them or stopping adult parasites from making their larvae for a while.
It is often prescribed by a doctor to help treat skin infections and certain worm diseases. It is effective and safe, though it may cause drowsiness when taken.
Therefore, it is essential to purchase ivermectin from a reliable seller and ensure that the product you receive has not been counterfeited. Make sure to read customer reviews and ratings before deciding on a vendor.
Ivermectin can be purchased online at a variety of stores, but it is important to find a reputable supplier. It is also crucial to check if the seller offers free shipping. This will ensure that you get your medicine without paying too much for it.
Best Ivermectin Seller: https://www.buy-pharma.md/Ivermectin-p-923.html
Precautions
If you are planning a trip to a tropical region where you may be at risk for river blindness, it is important to know what precautions to take. Taking precautions can help prevent the disease from becoming serious or even life-threatening.
Precautions can also protect travellers from the risks of other diseases that are common in the area, such as dengue fever and malaria. These risks can be prevented by wearing bug spray and long-sleeved clothing that is treated with insect repellent.
The precautionary principle is a set of guidelines that states that when something could cause harm to the environment, human health, or society, action should be taken to limit damage, even if some scientific uncertainties remain. This principle is a powerful tool to protect the environment and has been widely used in many countries.
River blindness, or onchocerciasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that primarily affects the poor. It is a severe condition that can result in pain, malnutrition, and even death. It can devastate families and communities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.