People who are infected with the worms but do not have any symptoms are given the drug diethylcarbamazine (DEC) once a year. This drug kills most, but not all, of the microscopic worms in the blood. Researchers from the World Health Organization have found that giving two drugs, albendazole with DEC or a different drug called ivermectin, is 99 percent effective in removing worms from the blood. The treatment is needed just once a year. Because lymphatic filariasis is transmitted from human to human by mosquitoes, treating the entire community can break the chain of transmission and reduce the incidence of the disease. People who have lymphedema are also given the anti-worm medication. In addition, careful hygiene helps them avoid the serious skin infections caused by lymphedema.
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