Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis, commonly known as Guinea-worm disease, is a debilitating parasitic affliction caused by the Guinea worm, scientifically termed Dracunculus medinensis. The transmission of this disease typically occurs when individuals ingest water contaminated with copepods, minuscule crustaceans housing Guinea worm larvae. Upon ingestion, these larvae are liberated within the host's gastrointestinal tract subsequent to the digestion of copepods by stomach acid. Within about a year, the mature female Guinea worm embarks on a journey through the host's tissues, often targeting lower limbs, where it incites the formation of an excruciating blister on the skin's surface. This blister gradually ruptures, giving rise to a grievous wound from which the worm painstakingly emerges over the course of several weeks. Throughout this arduous emergence process, which lasts anywhere from three to ten weeks, the affected individual experiences incapacitating pain. Moreover, the open wound presents a significant risk of bacterial infection, which can prove fatal in approximately 1% of cases.
==Life Cycle==
Dracunculiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the roundworm Dracunculus medinensis. The lifecycle of this parasite begins within small aquatic crustaceans known as copepods, where D. medinensis larvae find their initial host. When humans consume contaminated water, they unknowingly ingest these infected copepods. Once ingested, the copepods perish during the digestive process, liberating the D. medinensis larvae into the human body. These larvae then exit the digestive tract by penetrating the stomach and intestine, eventually taking shelter in the abdomen or retroperitoneal space. Over a span of two to three months, these larvae mature into adult male and female worms. The male typically reaches a size of 4 cm in length and 0.4 mm in width, while the female grows significantly larger, often exceeding lengths of 100 cm and widths of 1.5 mm.
After approximately a year from the initial infection, the female worm embarks on a migratory journey towards the skin's surface, inducing the formation of an ulcer. Upon reaching the surface, the female worm emerges partially from the ulcer, particularly when exposed to freshwater. At this stage, the female worm releases a milky-white substance containing numerous larvae into the water. Over the subsequent days, as the female continues to emerge from the wound, she continuously discharges larvae into the surrounding water. These larvae are subsequently ingested by copepods, where they undergo development for two to three weeks before becoming infectious to humans once again. Thus, completing the cycle of infection, perpetuating the transmission of the disease.
==Causes==
Dracunculiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called the Guinea worm. A person becomes infected when they drink contaminated water. This disease has been eliminated in most parts of the world, but still exists in Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan.
==Rarity==
Extremely rare
Fewer than 1,000 US cases per year
==Symptoms==
Blisters
Possible allergic reactions
Stiffness
Arthritis
Contractures
==How to prevent==
Only drink water usually out of a bottle and only eat food which comes from the store if possible and if not possible filter water and cook food.
==Treatment==
Slowly and carefully remove the worm from days to weeks
Category:Rare
Category:Worms