Mayo Clinic Health Manager
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By Mayo Clinic staffBecause Whipple's disease is potentially life-threatening yet treatable, contact your doctor immediately if you experience unusual signs or symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss or joint pain. Your doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Even after the infection is diagnosed and you're receiving treatment, let your doctor know if your symptoms don't improve. Sometimes antibiotic therapy isn't effective because the bacteria are resistant to the particular drug you're taking. Even after successful therapy the disease can recur, so it's important to watch for the re-emergence of symptoms that could be associated with the condition.