Patient discussions
Patient education includes providing information about the mode of initial infection through skin exposure, typically by walking barefoot in soil contaminated with human feces containing strongyloides larvae. The life cycle of the parasite needs to be explained so the patient is aware that, in chronic infection, the parasite is present in the intestinal tract.
It is important to explain that detection can be difficult, with multiple stool samples or blood tests required. The patient needs to be made aware that, without therapy, infection is lifelong, but that the infection is usually simple to treat, and once fully eradicated does not recur. A repeat dose at 2 weeks may be necessary to eradicate any larvae that have developed into adults since the initial dose.
It is especially important that the patient realizes that when people with untreated, chronic strongyloides infection are given corticosteroids, such as prednisone, for other medical conditions, they may develop life-threatening infection.
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