Risk factors in the spread of Visceral Leishmaniasis in two highly Research Paper

Risk factors in the spread of Visceral Leishmaniasis in two highly endemic but ecologically different regions - Research Paper Example However, not all species of phlebotomine transmit Leishmaniasis. Research has shown that it is only thirty of all the phlebotomine species transmit VL. In most cases, the female sandfly spreads the parasite into animals or human beings. This is because the parasite develops inside the sandfly for some period mostly between four and twenty five days. The sandfly then sucks fresh blood from an animal or a human being, and hence, transmitting the parasites, which completes the parasite’s cycle of transmission. Signs and symptoms The signs and symptoms of Visceral Leishmaniasis depend on the individual concerned as well as the geographical area involved. Some individuals have silent infections while others display symptoms of the disease. However, in most cases, VL affects internal organs of the body, which include the liver and spleen (Farrell 67). Fever is the most common symptom among many victims. Abnormal blood tests, which are factors of swelling of the spleen and liver, are also common symptoms of the disease. Low blood count of all the components of the disease are among the abnormal blood tests displayed by patients of the disease (Warrell 78). However, the signs and symptoms also depend on the geographical area under concern. For instance, in Sudan, most of the patients of the disease suffer from HIV, which leads to severe cases of the disease. The similarity between symptoms in Sudan and India is that all patients have fever as well internal body organs. Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosis of VL depends on the geographical location of the patient to be examined. This is because the disease varies according to the geographical location of the individual concerned. Clinical officers must use samples from the bone marrow (serologic testing) to test the presence of VL in patients. Serologic testing is effective because the disease mainly affects the internal organs of the body. Test samples for diagnosis may also come from the liver, blood or the lymph nodes. However, clinical officers and other medical practitioners have different approaches of diagnosis for individuals with HIV infection (Siddig, Mohammed, Hashim, David and Eskild 104). It is important to note that the diagnosis of the disease depends on the area or geographical region under concern. Similarly, treatment depends on the severity of the case in the individual concerned. Children and other special groups receive different medication from those of other members of the society. Severe cases of VL are fatal in untreated. No vaccines or preventive drugs are available for the disease. The only preventive measure that individuals can pursue is through preventing bites from sandflies (Mabey 45). Epidemiology and risk factors Epidemiology is one of the areas that have differences concerning geographical locations. Sandflies are responsible for spreading the Leishmania parasites into animals and human beings, which suggests that ecological factors may contribute to the spre ad of VL disease. The presence of tropical forests, caves and other habitats for the phlebotomine sandflies contributes to the spread of the disease in certain geographical areas. Sudan therefore, provides an ideal site for the breeding of sandflies. In addition, the conditions of living in Sudan are more severe than in India. India has relatively low breeding sites because of large population. Many individuals do not notice sandfly bites because the sandflies are mainly active at night and are very small (smaller than tropical mosquitoes). In