Problem 10

Background and context

Elephantiasis is caused by a roundworm known as a filarial worm, which lives in lymphatic vessels that prevent the removal of fluid from the tissues and cause fluid build-up in the organs. The limbs of an infected person can become so large that they can resemble elephants, giving this name to the infection.

Trichinosis is an infection caused by the female trichina worm that releases its larvae into the wall of the small intestine. The larvae are carried through the bloodstream to the muscles, where they encyst. Encysted larvae cause joint pain, muscle pain, and itchy skin, while adults in the small intestine cause fatigue, fever, and digestive problems.