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Intestinal lipodystrophy
People with Whipple's disease need to take long-term antibiotics to cure any infections of the brain and central nervous system. An antibiotic called ceftriaxone is given through a vein (IV). It is followed by another antibiotic (such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) taken by mouth for up to 1 year.
If symptoms come back during antibiotic use, the antibiotic treatment may be changed.
Your health care provider should closely follow your progress, because signs of the disease can return after you finish therapy. Those who have nutritional deficiencies from malabsorption will also need to take dietary supplements.
Without treatment, the condition is usually fatal. Treatment relieves symptoms and can cure the disease.
Call your health care provider if you have persistent joint pain, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
If you are being treated for Whipple's disease, call your health care provider if:
West SG. Systemic diseases in which arthritis is a feature. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 297.
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