Strongyloidiasis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Strongyloidiasis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Strongyloidiasis|here]]''' | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Strongyloidiasis is infection with the roundworm ''Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis)''. | [[Strongyloidiasis]] is infection with the roundworm ''[[Strongyloides stercoralis]] (S. stercoralis)''. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Strongyloidiasis?== | ==What are the symptoms of Strongyloidiasis?== | ||
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. | Most of the time, there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include: | ||
If there are symptoms, they may include: | |||
* [[Abdominal pain]] (upper abdomen) | * [[Abdominal pain]] (upper abdomen) | ||
* Cough | * [[Cough]] | ||
* [[Diarrhea]] | * [[Diarrhea]] | ||
* [[Rash]] | * [[Rash]] | ||
* [[Vomiting]] | * [[Vomiting]] | ||
* [[Weight loss]] | * [[Weight loss]] | ||
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==What causes Strongyloidiasis?== | ==What causes Strongyloidiasis?== | ||
''S. stercoralis'' is a roundworm that is fairly common in warm, moist areas. Rarely, it can be found as far north as Canada. | ''[[Strongyloides stercoralis|S. stercoralis]]'' is a roundworm that is fairly common in warm, moist areas. Rarely, it can be found as far north as Canada. People catch the infection when their skin comes in contact with soil contaminated with the worms. The tiny worm is barely visible to the naked eye. Young roundworms can move through a person's [[skin]] and into the [[Blood|bloodstream]] to the [[Lung|lungs]] and [[Airway|airways]]. They then move up to the [[throat]], where they are swallowed into the [[stomach]]. The worms then move to the [[small intestine]], where they attach to the wall. Later, they produce eggs, which hatch into tiny larvae and pass out of the body. Unlike other worms, these larvae can reenter the body through the skin around the [[anus]], which allows an infection to grow. Areas where the worms go through the skin may become red and painful. This infection is uncommon in the United States. Most cases seen in North America are brought by travelers who have visited or lived in South America or Africa. | ||
People catch the infection when their skin comes in contact with soil contaminated with the worms. | |||
The tiny worm is barely visible to the naked eye. Young roundworms can move through a person's skin and into the bloodstream to the lungs and airways. | |||
They then move up to the throat, where they are swallowed into the stomach. The worms then move to the small intestine, where they attach to the wall. Later, they produce eggs, which hatch into tiny larvae and pass out of the body. | |||
Unlike other worms, these larvae can reenter the body through the skin around the anus, which allows an infection to grow. Areas where the worms go through the skin may become red and painful. | |||
This infection is uncommon in the United States. Most cases seen in North America are brought by travelers who have visited or lived in South America or Africa. | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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The following tests may be done: | The following tests may be done: | ||
*Blood antigen test for S. stercoralis | *Blood antigen test for [[Strongyloides stercoralis|S. stercoralis]] | ||
*Complete blood count with differential | *[[Complete blood count|Complete blood coun]]<nowiki/>t with differential | ||
*Duodenal aspiration to check for S. stercoralis | *Duodenal aspiration to check for [[Strongyloides stercoralis|S. stercoralis]] | ||
*Sputum culture to check for S. stercoralis | *[[Sputum culture]] to check for S. stercoralis | ||
*Stool sample exam to check for S. stercoralis | *[[Stool examination|Stool sample exam]] to check for [[Strongyloides stercoralis|S. stercoralis]] | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of strongyloidiasis. | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of [[strongyloidiasis]]. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the worms with anti-worm medications such as [[ivermectin]] or [[albendazole]]. | The goal of treatment is to eliminate the worms with anti-worm medications such as [[ivermectin]] or [[albendazole]]. In some cases, people with no symptoms are treated. This includes people who take drugs that suppress the [[immune system]]. | ||
In some cases, people with no symptoms are treated. This includes people who take drugs that suppress the immune system. | |||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of strongyloidiasis. Public health services and sanitary facilities provide good infection control. | Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of [[strongyloidiasis]]. Public health services and sanitary facilities provide good infection control. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
With good treatment, people should make a full recovery and the parasites should be removed. Sometimes treatment needs to be repeated. | With good treatment, people should make a full recovery and the parasites should be removed. Sometimes treatment needs to be repeated. Infections that are severe or widespread often have a poor outcome, especially in people with a [[Immunodeficiency|weakened immune system]]. | ||
Infections that are severe or widespread often have a poor outcome, especially in people with a weakened immune system. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
* Disseminated strongyloidiasis, especially in patients with HIV or an otherwise weakened immune system | * Disseminated strongyloidiasis, especially in patients with [[Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)|HIV]] or an otherwise [[Weakened immune systems|weakened immune system]] | ||
* Eosinophilic pneumonia | * [[Eosinophilic pneumonia]] | ||
* [[Malnutrition]] due to problems absorbing nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract ([[malabsorption]]) | * [[Malnutrition]] due to problems absorbing nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract ([[malabsorption]]) | ||
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[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency mdicine]] | |||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Infectious disease]] | [[Category:Infectious disease]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | |||
[[Category:Dermatology]] | |||
[[Category:Neurology]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 00:19, 30 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Strongyloidiasis |
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Strongyloidiasis On the Web |
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Overview
Strongyloidiasis is infection with the roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis).
What are the symptoms of Strongyloidiasis?
Most of the time, there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include:
- Abdominal pain (upper abdomen)
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
What causes Strongyloidiasis?
S. stercoralis is a roundworm that is fairly common in warm, moist areas. Rarely, it can be found as far north as Canada. People catch the infection when their skin comes in contact with soil contaminated with the worms. The tiny worm is barely visible to the naked eye. Young roundworms can move through a person's skin and into the bloodstream to the lungs and airways. They then move up to the throat, where they are swallowed into the stomach. The worms then move to the small intestine, where they attach to the wall. Later, they produce eggs, which hatch into tiny larvae and pass out of the body. Unlike other worms, these larvae can reenter the body through the skin around the anus, which allows an infection to grow. Areas where the worms go through the skin may become red and painful. This infection is uncommon in the United States. Most cases seen in North America are brought by travelers who have visited or lived in South America or Africa.
Diagnosis
The following tests may be done:
- Blood antigen test for S. stercoralis
- Complete blood count with differential
- Duodenal aspiration to check for S. stercoralis
- Sputum culture to check for S. stercoralis
- Stool sample exam to check for S. stercoralis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of strongyloidiasis.
Treatment options
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the worms with anti-worm medications such as ivermectin or albendazole. In some cases, people with no symptoms are treated. This includes people who take drugs that suppress the immune system.
Prevention
Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of strongyloidiasis. Public health services and sanitary facilities provide good infection control.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
With good treatment, people should make a full recovery and the parasites should be removed. Sometimes treatment needs to be repeated. Infections that are severe or widespread often have a poor outcome, especially in people with a weakened immune system.
Possible complications
- Disseminated strongyloidiasis, especially in patients with HIV or an otherwise weakened immune system
- Eosinophilic pneumonia
- Malnutrition due to problems absorbing nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract (malabsorption)