DRACUNCULIASIS (GUINEA WORM)

Infestation with the Guinea worm Dracunculus medinensis manifests itself when the female worm, over a metre long, emerges from the skin. Humans are infected by ingesting a small crustacean, Cyclops, which inhabits wells and ponds, and contains the infective larval stage of the worm. The worm was widely distributed across Africa and the Middle East, but after a successful eradication programme is now seen only in sub-Saharan Africa.

MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION: -

Traditionally, the protruding worm is extracted by winding it out gently over several days on a matchstick. The worm must never be broken. Antibiotics for secondary infection and prophylaxis of tetanus are also required.

A global elimination campaign is based on the provision of clean drinking water and eradication of water fleas from drinking water. The latter is being achieved by simple filtration of water through a plastic mesh filter and chemical treatment of water supplies.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT: -

The medicines that can be thought of use are: -

• Acetic acid
• Iodum
• Belladonna
• Phosphorus
• Merc sol.