How Do You Spell KALA AZARS?
Pronunciation: [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz] (IPA) 
Correct spelling for the English word "Kala Azars" is [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz], [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz], [k_ˈɑː_l_ə_ɹ ˈa_z_ɑː_z] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Pronunciation: [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz] (IPA)
Correct spelling for the English word "Kala Azars" is [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz], [kˈɑːləɹ ˈazɑːz], [k_ˈɑː_l_ə_ɹ ˈa_z_ɑː_z] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Kala Azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum. It primarily affects the visceral organs, such as the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, leading to severe systemic symptoms.
The term "Kala Azar" stems from Hindi, where "kala" means black and "azar" refers to fever or disease, accurately reflecting the characteristic symptom of darkening skin color observed in some affected individuals.
The disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of female phlebotomine sandflies that are infected with Leishmania parasites. These parasites enter the human body, invade the macrophages (a type of white blood cell), multiply within them, and subsequently spread to other organs.
Common symptoms of Kala Azar include prolonged high-grade fever, fatigue, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia. If left untreated, the disease can progress, leading to complications such as malnutrition, secondary bacterial infections, and eventually death. Kala Azar predominantly affects populations in poverty-stricken areas, particularly in parts of Africa, South Asia, and South America.
Diagnosis of Kala Azar involves various methods, including clinical examination, blood tests, serology, and specific tests to detect the presence of Leishmania parasites. Treatment typically entails the administration of anti-leishmanial drugs such as amphotericin B, miltefosine, or sodium stibogluconate. Additionally, vector control measures, such as insecticide-treated bed nets and environmental management, play a crucial role in reducing the transmission of the disease.
The word "Kala Azar" has its roots in two different languages. "Kala" is derived from the Urdu language, where it means "black". "Azar" comes from Arabic, signifying "disease" or "infection". Therefore, the term "Kala Azar" translates to "black disease" or "black infection". This name was given to the illness due to one of its common symptoms, which is darkening of the skin.
