Disease

Most people infected with Strongyloides do not know they’re infected. If they do feel sick the most common complaints are the following:

Abdominal

• stomachache, bloating, and heartburn
• intermittent episodes of diarrhea and constipation
• nausea and loss of appetite

Respiratory

• dry cough
• throat irritation

Skin

• an itchy, red rash that occurs where the worm entered the skin
• recurrent raised red rash typically along the thighs and buttocks.

Rarely, severe life-threatening forms of the disease called hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated strongyloidiasis can occur. These forms of the disease are more common in people who are on corticosteroids (prednisone for example) or other immunosuppressive therapies or who are infected with HTLV-1. In this situation, people become critically ill, and should be taken to the hospital immediately.