About this topic
Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by a roundworm. These worms can be found in dirt and other materials with feces. You can catch the infection by direct contact with the infected dirt and feces. The worms enter into your skin. They flow through your blood to your lungs and airways. They move up to your throat and are swallowed into your stomach. ‚
When this worm lives in your bowels, it lays eggs there. Some eggs are passed out of your body through your stool. Other worms may come back and enter into the skin around your anus. The skin may become red, itchy, and painful. ‚
Your doctor will give you drugs to kill the infection and control your signs. Early treatment can help lessen the chance of serious problems. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor. Do not skip doses. Do not stop taking your drugs even if you feel better.
- Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands properly and often. Cut your fingernails short and keep them clean.
- Shower and wash around your anus often. Change and wash underwear each day. Do not share towels.
- Clean and disinfect the toilet seat regularly. Clean the bathroom and things around the toilet to remove any eggs.
- Avoid scratching, rubbing, or touching your anus. Use a protective cream or ointment to help ease itching and pain.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Kill the worms
- Empty your bowels to help get rid of the worms
- Treat skin rashes
- Lower fever
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Lung infection
- Poor nutrition
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid walking barefoot. Wear shoes when you are walking on soil or visiting places that may be infected.
- Practice proper sanitation and disposal of stool.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
- Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before eating.
- Teach children to wash hands after going to the toilet and before eating.
- Teach children to keep their hands out of their mouth.
- Wear proper protective clothing when working with soil. Wear hand gloves and shoes when farming or exposed to soil.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Throwing up
- Belly pain
- Loose or bloody stools
- Cough, feeling short of breath or wheezing
- Rash
- Red hives near your anus
- Weight loss
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how often I need to shower and wash my hands.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a cough, feel short of breath, or have belly pain or loose or bloody stools.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/strongyloides/gen_info/faqs.html ‚
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ‚
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/strongyloidiasis/Pages/Default.aspx ‚
Natural History Museum ‚
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/scientific-advances/disease/strongyloides-stercoralis/disease/index.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚