Guinea worm
Guinea worm
Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis), also known as the dracunculiasis or Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a parasitic infection caused by the nematode roundworm parasite, Dracunculus medinensis. The disease is typically transmitted when people drink water contaminated with water fleas infected with guinea worm larvae.
Pronunciation
- Guinea worm: /ˈɡɪni wɜːrm/
- Dracunculus medinensis: /drəˈkʌŋkjʊləs mɛdɪˈnaɪnsɪs/
Etymology
The term "Guinea worm" is derived from its prevalence in the Guinea region of West Africa. The scientific name, Dracunculus medinensis, originates from Latin, where "dracunculus" means "little dragon" and "medinensis" refers to Medina, a city in Saudi Arabia where the worm was common.
Symptoms and Treatment
The symptoms of Guinea worm disease include fever, nausea, and a painful, burning sensation as the female worm forms a blister in the skin, usually on the lower limbs. The treatment for Guinea worm disease primarily involves the manual extraction of the worm from the body, a process that can take several weeks.
Prevention
Prevention of Guinea worm disease is focused on providing safe drinking water and educating communities about the dangers of drinking water from unsafe sources.
Related Terms
- Nematode: A type of roundworm, of which the Guinea worm is a member.
- Parasitic infection: An infection caused by a parasite, such as the Guinea worm.
- Water flea: A small crustacean often found in fresh water. The Guinea worm larvae are often transmitted through water fleas.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Guinea worm
- Wikipedia's article - Guinea worm
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