Strongyloides stercoralis
Threadworm
Symptoms reported
- •Diarrhea
- •Abdominal pain
- •Vomiting
- •Coughing
- •Shortness of breath
Life cycle
Larvae penetrate the skin, travel through the lungs, and mature in the intestine; they can also replicate entirely within the host.
Transmission
Skin penetration by infective filariform larvae in soil or internal autoinfection.
Conventional medical treatment
Ivermectin (first choice) or albendazole
For information only. Discuss with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any pharmaceutical.
Treatment Options — Natural First, Pharmaceutical When Needed
Natural First
- •Activated charcoal (binder)
- •Hydration + electrolytes
- •Rest + bone broth nutrition
Pharmaceutical (if natural-first insufficient)
- •Ivermectin (first choice) or albendazole
When to escalate to pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical first if: heavy worm burden with anemia or weight loss, persistent symptoms > 6 weeks of natural treatment, pediatric failure to thrive, immunocompromised host, or pregnancy.
“This species also is known as threadworms and are capable of living in the small intestine or as a free-living worm.”
— Parasites Clinical Book (textbook)
This page is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before acting on anything you read here.