What is Dracunculiasis?

What is Dracunculiasis?

• Dracunculiasis: An infectious disease caused by the nematode Dracunculus medinensis which is usually transmitted by drinking water contaminated by infected crustaceans.
• Dracunculiasis: Infection with nematodes of the genus DRACUNCULUS. One or more worms may be seen at a time, with the legs and feet being the most commonly infected areas. Symptoms include pruritus, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or asthmatic attacks.
  Source - Diseases Database
• Dracunculiasis: a painful and debilitating infestation contracted by drinking stagnant water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae that can mature inside a human's abdomen until the worm emerges through a painful blister in the person's skin.
  Source - WordNet 2.1

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Dracunculiasis as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

Dracunculiasis: Introduction

Types of Dracunculiasis:

Broader types of Dracunculiasis:

• Worm conditions
• Diseases contagious from contaminated water
• more types...»

How serious is Dracunculiasis?

Complications of Dracunculiasis: see complications of Dracunculiasis

What causes Dracunculiasis?

Causes of Dracunculiasis: see causes of Dracunculiasis
Risk factors for Dracunculiasis: see risk factors for Dracunculiasis

What are the symptoms of Dracunculiasis?

Symptoms of Dracunculiasis: see symptoms of Dracunculiasis

Complications of Dracunculiasis: see complications of Dracunculiasis

Incubation period for Dracunculiasis: about 1 year

Can anyone else get Dracunculiasis?

More information: see contagiousness of Dracunculiasis

Dracunculiasis: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Dracunculiasis.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Dracunculiasis.

How is it treated?

Treatments for Dracunculiasis: see treatments for Dracunculiasis
Prevention of Dracunculiasis: see prevention of Dracunculiasis
Research for Dracunculiasis: see research for Dracunculiasis

Name and Aliases of Dracunculiasis

Main name of condition: Dracunculiasis

Class of Condition for Dracunculiasis: parasite worm

Guinea worm disease, Guinea worm, dracontiasis, dracunculosis, fiery serpent infection, guinea worm infection, GWD, Parasitic infection caused by Dracunculus medinensis

Dracontiasis, Dracunculosis, Dracunculus medinensis, Guinea worm, Medina worm Source - Diseases Database

Guinea worm disease, Guinea worm
Source - WordNet 2.1

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Dracunculiasis:

• Dracontiasis
• Dracunculosis
• Guinea worm infection
• Dracunculus medinensis
• D medinensis
• Guinea fire worm
• Medina worm
• Serpent worm
• Dragon worm

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• Online Medical Textbooks for Dracunculiasis
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• Causes of Dracunculiasis
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