Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis, commonly known as kala-azar, refers to a parasitic disease, which is easily spread with the bite of the sandfly. Cutaneous leishmaniasis and systemic (or visceral) leishmaniasis are two different forms of leishmaniasis; the former affecting the skin and mucus membranes while the latter affecting the entire body. Symptoms of cutaneous leishmaniasis include skin sores converting into a skin ulcer which heals very slowly, ulcers in the mouth, gums, tongue, lips, nose and inner nose, stuffy and runny nose, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Symptoms of systemic visceral leishmaniasis (mostly affecting children) include discomfort in abdominal, cough, diarrhea, long fevers, night sweats, thinning hair, vomiting, weight loss and scaly, gray skin.