ICD-10: B55Infectious & Parasitic DiseasesGeneral Severity
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a tropical skin or organ infection spread to humans through the bite of an infected sand fly.
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Find General PhysiciansClinical Overview
Leishmaniasis is caused by tiny parasites, which are microscopic organisms that live off a host, that enter your body through a fly bite. Depending on the type, it can affect your skin, your mucous membranes, which are the moist linings of your nose and mouth, or your internal organs like your liver and spleen.
The disease is most common in warm, tropical climates. While it might sound scary, please know that doctors have effective ways to treat it, and with the right medicine, most people make a full recovery.
Common Symptoms
- Slow-healing skin sores or ulcers that may look like a volcano with a raised edge.
- Skin bumps or nodules that grow over time.
- Swollen lymph nodes near the site of a bite.
- Fever, weight loss, and an enlarged spleen or liver in severe cases.
- Nosebleeds or difficulty breathing if the nose lining is affected.