Strongyloidiasis - nematode infection

CDC info here and here

"Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by a nematode, or a roundworm, in the genus Strongyloides. Though there are over 40 species within this genus that can infect birds, reptiles, amphibians, livestock and other primates, Strongyloides stercoralis is the primary species that accounts for human disease. It sometimes infects primates, dogs and cats, and some dog and primate infecting strains have been shown to be capable of causing human infection. We do not know if cat-infecting strains can infect humans or not.

Strongyloides stercoralis is classified as a soil-transmitted helminth. This means that the primary mode of infection is through contact with soil that is contaminated with free-living larvae. When the larvae come in contact with skin, they are able to penetrate it and migrate through the body, eventually finding their way to the small intestine where they burrow and lay their eggs. Unlike other soil-transmitted helminths such as hookworm and whipworm, whose eggs do not hatch until they are in the environment, the eggs of S. stercoralis hatch into larvae in the intestine. Most of these larvae will be excreted in the stool, but some of the larvae may mature and immediately re-infect the host either by burrowing into the intestinal wall, or by penetrating the skin around the anus. This characteristic of S. stercoralis is termed auto-infection. The significance of auto-infection is that unless treated for S. stercoralis, persons may remain infected throughout their lifetime.

The majority of people infected with Strongyloides do not have symptoms. Those who do develop symptoms often have non-specific, or generalized complaints. Some people develop abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn, intermittent episodes of diarrhea and constipation, a dry cough, and skin rashes. Rarely people will develop arthritis, kidney problems, and heart conditions.

Strongyloides infection is best diagnosed with a blood test. Microscopic examination of stool is another option for diagnosis, but it might not find the worms in all infected people."

I do think that there is not enough looking at blood slides done. When our dogs were sick in Borneo, we took them to the vet, the vet drew blood and immediately looked at it under the microscope, identifying the infection and initiating the treatment. Contrast that with the experience this woman and many of us have had, where getting our blood actually looked at (rather than just endlessly and fruitlessly repeating the 'complete blood count' test) is stupidly difficult.