Kala Azar

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

The word "kala-azar" is a Hindi term for black fever that originates from India. Black fever, black sickness, and dumdum fever are further names for the illness. Kala-azar is a chronic and sometimes fatal parasitic condition that affects the viscera (internal organs), especially the liver, marrow, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. It is brought on by an infection with the parasite Leishmania donovani. also raises the possibility of more secondary infections. Miltefosine is the first oral medication discovered to be successful in treating kala-azar.

The internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, are affected by the chronic and sometimes fatal parasitic disease known as kala-azar, which is brought on by infection with the parasite Leishmania donovani. Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of kala-azar, is spread by sandfly bites in portions of South America (mainly Brazil), Africa, and Asia (particularly India), where there are an estimated half a million cases annually. While Kala-azar can produce little or no symptoms, it often brings on fever, anorexia, exhaustion, enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as suppression of the bone marrow. Kala-azar raises the danger of other secondary infections. Miltefosine is the first oral medication discovered to be successful in treating kala-azar. The word "kala-azar," which is Hindi for "black fever," originates in India. Black fever, black sickness, and dumdum fever are additional names for the illness.

PHC issue

In addition, parasites or their insect vectors are growing more and more resistant to the anti-parasite medications that are now available, as is the case with many diseases that are prevalent in developing countries (such as trypanosomiasis and malaria). New medications take a long time to develop, maybe because there is no financial reward, and the majority of fundamental research into prospective therapeutic targets is conducted in universities with charity foundation funding. Armed forces from developed countries that are currently deployed to places like Afghanistan and Iraq, where leishmaniasis is widespread, may infect locals there, changing this. Amphotericin B in its various liposomal preparations is currently the drug of choice for treating visceral leishmaniasis contracted in India.

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

HealthLine. 2005. 2017 http://www.healthline.com/health/leishmaniasis

MedicineNet. 1996. 2017 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12022

Tuitui, Roshani. Community Health Nursing. Kathmandu: Vidyarthi Prakashan (P.)

 
Things to remember
  • The internal organs, particularly the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, are affected by the chronic and sometimes fatal parasitic disease known as kala-azar, which is brought on by infection with the parasite Leishmania donovani.
  • Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of kala-azar, is spread by sandfly bites in portions of South America (mainly Brazil), Africa, and Asia (particularly India), where there are an estimated half a million cases annually.
  • The word "kala-azar," which is Hindi for "black fever," originates in India. Black fever, black sickness, and dumdum fever are further names for the illness.
  • It is possible for it to have little or no symptoms, but usually, it is accompanied with fever, anorexia (a loss of appetite), exhaustion, enlargement of the liver, spleen, and nodes, as well as suppression of the bone marrow.
  • Also raises the possibility of more secondary infections. Miltefosine is the first oral medication discovered to be successful in treating kala-azar.
Questions and Answers

Kala-azar is a chronic and sometimes fatal parasitic disease that affects the viscera, or internal organs, mainly the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of kala-azar, is spread by sandfly bites in portions of South America (mainly Brazil), Africa, and Asia (particularly India), where there are an estimated half a million cases annually.

Although kala-azar can have little or no symptoms, it often brings on fever, anorexia, exhaustion, enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as suppression of the bone marrow. Kala-azar raises the danger of other secondary infections. Miltefosine is the first oral medication discovered to be successful in treating kala-azar.

The word "kala-azar," which is Hindi for "black fever," originates in India. Black fever, black sickness, and dumdum fever are additional names for the illness.

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