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flukes you are hosting. Early research suggested too many false positives, but modern
research shows that those weak tests are correct but the other tests failed to detect it. For
more detail see the longer article on The Eye Magazine website www.theeye.ug

You’ve read how serious Bilharzia can be. If you have a positive urine antigen test is it
really worth it to say no I don’t want treatment; the antibody test is negative? My strong
advice is take the medicine anyway. It might save your fertility or avoid prostrate surgery
when you’re 30.

TREATMENT
Treatment is complicated so read more details on the website. Praziquantel paralyses the
adults, the tegument drops off, they float back up to the liver and they are attacked by
the immune system. First dose most may survive but immunity is primed. Second dose
more will die. Most people will need a third dose. Our advice has evolved over the years.
Best for most people is first time take a dose of 60mg per kg at night with food for 3
nights. Successful treatment results in a significant immune response to the dying
schistosomes: read the website. Then test again after 3 weeks. If still positive take another
dose one night only. Test again. We expect each test to get more faint. Once negative,
take another dose after a month just to be sure. Yes, the medicine is horrible, the immune
reaction is unpredictable and pediatric preparations are still on the horizon.

SUMMARY
Bilharzia is an unpredictable disease, ranging from unrecognised to fatal neurological
involvement. Diagnosis is often missed, but proper treatment is successful. Read the full
article on The Eye Magazine website at www.theeye.ug
Bottom line: take Bilharzia seriously. * It’s a pun. Schistosomes are flukes.

2 Naguru Drive, Naguru, Kampala

Reception Numbers:
+256 312 256001-3/ +256 772 756003
reception@thesurgeryuganda.org / administration@thesurgeryuganda.org
Emergency Numbers:
+256 256 312 256008 / +256 752 756003
nurse@thesurgeryuganda.org

www.thesurgeryuganda.org. @TheSurgeryUganda (f)

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