infections
Lymphatic Filariasis
Treatment of Lymphatic Filariasis
Diethylcarbamazine Treatment of long-term effects The brief early symptoms usually resolve on their own. Whether treatment prevents or lessens the long-term effects of infection is uncertain. Typically, lymphatic filariasis is treated with diethylcarbamazine. This drug is taken by mouth for 1 or 12 days. It kills microfilariae and some adult worms. Before treating people with diethylcarbamazine, doctors check them for Loiasis and The effects of chronic infection are treated. Chronic swellingrequires meticulous skin care. People must be careful not to damage the skin and to thoroughly clean any minor cuts and scrapes. Such care helps prevent bacterial infections. Swelling may be reduced by wrapping elastic bandages around the affected limb or by elevating the limb. If elephantiasis, including swelling in the scrotum, is severe, surgery may be done to improve drainage in the lymphatic system. Bacterial skin infectionsare treated with antibiotics given by mouth. The antibiotics may slow or prevent progression to elephantiasis. Forlung-related problems,diethylcarbamazine, taken for 14 to 21 days, is effective. However, the infection recurs in about one fourth of people. For them, treatment must be repeated. 