Treatment of human visceral leishmaniasis, also known as random kala, is mainly performed with pentavalent antimonial compounds, for 20 to 30 days, to combat symptoms of the disease.
Visceral leishmaniasis is an infection caused in Brazil by the protozoa Leishmania chagasi, which is transmitted by mosquitoes of the species Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia cruzi, this disease slowly worsens and can worsen, so if there are signs and symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis, it is important to consult a doctor for adequate diagnosis and treatment.Learn more about visceral leishmaniasis identification.
- In addition to protozoa-eliminating drugs.
- Treatment should involve controlling common complications of the disease.
- Such as anemia.
- Diarrhea.
- Malnutrition.
- Bleeding and decreased immunity infections.
- As they are situations that weaken and can endanger a person’s life.
The main drugs used to treat visceral leishmaniasis are pentavalent antimonial compounds, such as meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate, which are the main treatment option, applied in intramuscular or venous doses, for 20 to 30 days.Find out how it is used and the price of the most used drug in the treatment of leishmaniasis.
In some cases, these medications can cause side effects, such as arrhythmias, aches and appetite, and are contrary in people with renal or hepatic impairment, in pregnant women during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, and in cases showing signs of liver changes.electrocardiogram, known as QT interval increase.
Other alternative options for absence or contraindication of these remedies are liposomal amphoterin B, colloidal dispersion amphotericin B, pentamidines and immunomodulators, such as gamma interferon and GM-CSF, in addition to Miltefosine, which is an oral drug that can also be used.Treatment.
Before starting treatment, certain precautions should be observed, including the evaluation and stabilization of clinical conditions caused by the disease, such as dressings or transfusions for the control of bleeding, iron and vitamin replacement or, if necessary, blood transfusion, to help restore anemia, diet with proteins.and calories to improve malnutrition and the use of antibiotics to treat infections.
Treatment can be done at home, provided that the person can receive the necessary care there and can go to the hospital for medication and medical re-evaluations.In addition, hospitalization should be recommended provided that:
In addition, once treatment is complete, the person should be followed by the doctor in consultation at 3, 6 and 12 months and, if the patient remains stable at the last assessment, is considered cured.
Signs of improvement may appear already after the first week after starting treatment and are characterized by decreased fever, decreased stomach swelling, weight gain and disposition recovery.
These signs are most common when treatment does not start quickly and include increased or recurrence of fever, weight loss, constant weakness, viral and bacterial infections in the body and bleeding.