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What is a Strongyloides Infection?

Strongyloides infections are diseases of the digestive tract that are caused by the small worm Strongyloides stercoralis. Strongyloides infections are also called stronglyoidosis.

Strongyloides infections are more common in tropical and subtropical climates than in cooler, temperate areas.

What are Strongyloides?

Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite that has both free-living and parasitic life cycles. In the parasitic life cycle, female worms are found in the superficial tissues of the human small intestine. There are no parasitic males.

The size of an adult Strongyloides stercoralis worm is about 2 mm.

The Strongyloides stercoralis worm is also called a threadworm.

What are the Symptoms of a Strongyloides Infection?

Some common symptoms are:

  • small, itchy skin lesions
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas
  • nausea
  • wheezing
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite

How is Strongyloides Infection Transmitted?

Humans will develop a strongyloides infection when the strongyloides worm penetrates the skin. Once inside the skin, the worms migrate to the lungs, via the circulatory system, penetrate the alveoli into the small bronchioles, and they are "coughed up" and swallowed.

Once they return to the small intestine, the larvae mature into parasitic females.

Most strongyloides and their eggs are found in the soil. The strongyloides and their eggs can be picked up on the hands and transferred to the mouth or can enter through the skin.

Can a Strongyloides Infection be Treated?

Yes. Your doctor will prescribe medication that will destroy the strongyloides,

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