Leishmaniasis (Visceral Leishmaniasis, Kala-Azar) - Medtick
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Leishmaniasis (Visceral Leishmaniasis, Kala-Azar)

What is it?

Parasite infection spread by the bite of infected phelobotamine sand flies.

It mainly occurs in:

  • America’s N&S (not Uruguay, Chile, and Canada)
  • Southern Europe
  • Asia (not South East)
  • Middle East
  • Africa

Countries affected are:

South America

  • Uruguay

Europe & Russia

  • Spain (Spain Majorca, Minorca, Balearic Islands, Ibiza, Formentera, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura)

Africa

  • Kenya

Asia

  • Pakistan
  • Nepal

Cause

  • Parasite:  Leishmania

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
  • Swelling around spleen area?
  • Selling around liver area?
  • Swollen glands?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Loss of appetite?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Aching, painful muscles, muscle cramps/spasms/stiffness?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks or breathing difficulties (fluid in lung)?
  • Sores of the skin with a ‘volcano’ appearance with a raised edge and central crater?
  • Sores of the skin that change in size and appearance?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can lead to:

This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Leishmaniasis (Visceral Leishmaniasis, Kala-Azar) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

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