Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the digestive tract and cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, weight loss, and anal itching. Because these symptoms overlap with many other gut conditions, symptoms alone are not enough to know if you have worms. A clinician can arrange targeted stool tests or other checks, and treatment usually involves prescription medication.

What are intestinal worms?

Intestinal worms, also called helminths, are multicellular parasites that live in the human gut. They are different from single-celled parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica, which are protozoa. Common worm infections include pinworms, roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Each type has a different lifecycle, transmission route, and treatment approach.

Common symptoms of intestinal worms

Many intestinal worm infections cause digestive symptoms, but the signs are often nonspecific. Some people have no symptoms at all. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Abdominal pain, cramping, or discomfort
• Diarrhea, sometimes watery, foul-smelling, or intermittent
• Bloating, gas, or a feeling of fullness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss or poor appetite
• Fatigue or low energy
• Anal itching, especially at night
• Visible worms or worm segments in stool

If you notice worms in your stool or have persistent anal itching, tell a doctor. Visible worms are a strong clue, but many worm infections do not produce visible worms.

How to tell if you have intestinal worms

You cannot diagnose intestinal worms by symptoms alone. A doctor can use tests to confirm whether worms are present and identify the type. The most common diagnostic approach is a stool test, which looks for worm eggs, larvae, or parasite DNA. For pinworms, a tape test can collect eggs from the skin around the anus. Blood tests may help in certain infections, but they are not the first-line test for most intestinal worms.

If you have persistent symptoms or risk factors, ask a clinician which test is appropriate. Repeated stool samples may be needed because worms do not shed eggs every day.

Common types of intestinal worms

The type of worm affects symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Common intestinal worms include:

• Pinworms: small, white worms that cause intense anal itching, often at night; they are common in children.
• Roundworms (Ascaris): can cause abdominal discomfort, nausea, or visible worms in stool; they are linked to contaminated soil or food.
• Hookworms: can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and iron-deficiency anemia; larvae can enter through skin from contaminated soil.
• Tapeworms: can cause mild digestive symptoms or weight loss; they can be transmitted through undercooked meat or contaminated water.
• Whipworms: can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes blood in stool; they are transmitted through contaminated soil.

How do you get intestinal worms?

Transmission usually happens through the fecal-oral route: worm eggs or larvae from infected stool reach the mouth through contaminated hands, food, water, soil, or objects. Some worms, such as hookworms, can penetrate the skin. Risk factors include living in or traveling to areas with poor sanitation, using untreated water, walking barefoot in contaminated soil, poor hand hygiene, and eating undercooked meat or fish.

How are intestinal worms diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a medical history and symptom review. Your clinician may ask about travel, water sources, animal contact, and living conditions. Tests may include:

• Stool test (ova and parasite exam): checks for worm eggs, larvae, or parasite DNA.
• Antigen or PCR tests: detect specific parasite material in stool.
• Tape test: pressed against the anal area to collect pinworm eggs.
• Blood tests: can help identify certain infections or complications such as anemia.

A negative stool test does not always rule out worms, especially if only one sample is tested. Your doctor may ask for several samples collected on different days.

Doctors may be cautious about ordering parasite tests without specific exposure history or persistent symptoms. This is not because parasites are ignored; it is because many gut infections have other causes. If you have a clear concern, describe your symptoms and any exposure risk to your clinician.

How to get rid of worms in your intestines

Treatment for intestinal worms is called deworming. It usually means taking an antiparasitic medicine prescribed by a doctor. Common medications include albendazole, mebendazole, and pyrantel pamoate, depending on the type of worm. Some infections require a single dose; others need several days of treatment. Your clinician will choose the right drug, dose, and follow-up plan.

Do not treat yourself with over-the-counter deworming products unless a doctor has confirmed you need them. Wrong medication, incorrect dosing, or self-diagnosis can delay effective treatment and cause complications.

Household members are sometimes treated as well, especially for pinworms, because the infection spreads easily. Good hygiene during treatment is essential to prevent reinfection.

Do gut worms go away on their own?

Most intestinal worms do not go away on their own without treatment. Some mild infections may be controlled by the immune system, but the worm can stay in the gut for weeks, months, or longer. Untreated infections can cause persistent symptoms, nutritional deficiencies, anemia, or complications, especially in children and people with weakened immune systems.

When to see a doctor or seek urgent care

See a doctor if you have persistent digestive symptoms, visible worms in stool, unexplained weight loss, or anal itching. Seek urgent care if you have:

• High fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Bloody stools
• Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or very low urine output
• Rapid, unintentional weight loss

These symptoms can indicate a more serious infection or complication and should not be managed at home.

Intestinal worms vs other intestinal infections

Intestinal infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Intestinal worms are one type of parasite, but they are not the only cause of gut symptoms. Viral gastroenteritis, bacterial infections, food poisoning, and inflammatory bowel disease can look similar. A doctor can distinguish them through symptoms, history, and testing. This is why it is important not to assume every stomach complaint is caused by worms.

The role of gut microbiome testing

The gut microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes living in your digestive tract. A balanced microbiome supports digestion and helps defend against harmful organisms. When the microbiome is disrupted—for example, by antibiotics, poor diet, or stress—colonization resistance can weaken, and parasites or other pathogens may find it easier to establish.

A gut microbiome test can show whether your bacterial ecosystem is balanced and may reveal signs of dysbiosis. Some advanced shotgun metagenomic tests can also detect parasite DNA, but not all microbiome tests are designed or validated for this. If you suspect worms, targeted stool testing remains the most reliable step. Microbiome testing is best used as extra context, not as a replacement for a medical diagnosis.

For people with persistent symptoms, a clinically validated gut microbiome test can provide a baseline view of microbial balance. Longitudinal monitoring through a gut health membership may help you track changes over time. Clinicians and health services exploring microbiome insight in care pathways can learn more about the B2B gut microbiome platform.

How to reduce your risk of intestinal worms

Prevention focuses on interrupting the fecal-oral route. Practical steps include:

• Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before eating, and after handling animals.
• Drink safe, treated water, especially when traveling.
• Wash and peel raw fruits and vegetables when in high-risk areas.
• Cook meat and fish thoroughly.
• Wear shoes outdoors in areas where soil may be contaminated.
• Keep children's fingernails short and discourage nail-biting or scratching the anal area.

Simple self-check for possible worm exposure

Use this self-check if you are wondering whether your symptoms might be related to worms:

• Have symptoms lasted longer than 2–4 weeks?
• Do you have red flags such as fever, severe pain, bloody stools, or dehydration? If yes, seek urgent care.
• Have you traveled somewhere with poor sanitation or used untreated water?
• Have you had contact with known infected people, animals, or contaminated soil?
• Have you noticed visible worms in your stool or persistent anal itching?
• Have you recently used antibiotics, which may disrupt gut balance?

If you answer yes to several points, contact a clinician and ask whether targeted worm testing is appropriate. A gut microbiome test can support your gut health picture but should not replace the diagnostic tests your doctor recommends.

Frequently asked questions

How do you tell if you have intestinal worms?

You cannot tell just from symptoms. A doctor can order a stool test, a tape test for pinworms, or other targeted tests. If you see worms in your stool or have persistent anal itching, mention it to your clinician.

How do I deworm myself?

Deworming means taking antiparasitic medication prescribed by a doctor. You should not self-medicate because the right drug depends on the type of worm and your health situation. Ask a healthcare professional for the correct treatment and follow-up.

How do I get rid of worms in my intestines?

Prescription antiparasitic medicines are the standard way to remove intestinal worms. Your doctor will choose a drug such as albendazole, mebendazole, or pyrantel pamoate, depending on the worm type. Follow the full course and practice good hygiene to prevent reinfection.

Do gut worms go away on their own?

Most intestinal worms do not go away on their own without treatment. Some immune systems can control a mild infection, but the worm may remain and cause ongoing symptoms. Treatment is usually needed to clear the infection.

How do I know if I have parasites?

Signs can include persistent diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, anal itching, or visible worms in stool. Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, testing is the only reliable way to know. Talk to a clinician about stool or blood tests.

What are the symptoms of worms in the stomach?

Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, tiredness, and sometimes visible worms in stool. Anal itching, especially at night, can be a sign of pinworms. See a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.