Intestinal Worms: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Intestinal worms can produce a wide range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to more serious GI issues. Common signs include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, unintentional weight loss, and fatigue. In children, itching around the anus is also a frequent symptom. If you notice persistent digestive changes or have known exposure to areas with higher risk, it’s important to seek medical evaluation. A clinician can review your symptoms, perform a targeted physical exam, and order stool tests to determine whether intestinal worms are present. Early detection helps prevent complications and reduces the chance of spreading infection to others. Reliable diagnosis hinges on stool testing and clinical context. A healthcare provider may use ova and parasite (O&P) exams, stool antigen tests, and sometimes PCR-based assays to identify the specific parasite. Blood tests and imaging can aid when there are clues suggesting anemia or other related issues. Diagnosis is most accurate when symptoms, exposure history, and travel or residence in risk areas are all considered together. If intestinal worms are confirmed, treatment will be tailored to the specific parasite and your overall health, and in some situations, treating close contacts or household members is advised to prevent reinfection. Effective treatments for intestinal worms are typically prescription medications chosen by a clinician based on the identified parasite. Common options include albendazole, mebendazole, praziquantel, or ivermectin, among others. It’s important to complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve early, and to monitor for any side effects under medical guidance. Because dosing and choice of medication depend on the worm type and local guidelines, avoid self-medicating and follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for the best outcome. Prevention is the best defense against intestinal worms. Practical steps include thorough handwashing after using the bathroom and before handling food, keeping nails trimmed, washing fruits and vegetables, drinking safe water, cooking meat and fish to safe temperatures, and wearing protective footwear in areas with soil exposure. Ensuring good sanitation and avoiding fecal contamination of water and food are key community measures. For those seeking to support overall gut health alongside prevention, InnerBuddies offers a white-label Gut Health Operating System that powers microbiome testing products. It features a Gut Microbiome Health Index (0–100) based on a collaboration with EAFIT University, a top 40 list of bacteria with clear healthy-vs.-unhealthy comparisons, categorized bacterial functions, and targeted analyses for groups like Healthy Aging, Endurance Sport, and Skin & Hair Health. It also provides personalized nutrition and probiotic/prebiotic recommendations. Learn more about their microbiome test at InnerBuddies microbiome test, explore ongoing insights with the Gut Health Membership, or partner with InnerBuddies through their program at the B2B page.