Testing the faeces for parasites allows you to identify the presence of parasites found in the gastrointestinal tract, such as tapeworm, human roundworm, etc. How to correctly collect a sample for testing? How many times do you need to do the test? How long are waiting for the results and how to interpret them?

Faecal examination for parasitesallows you to find out the presence of parasites in the digestive tract, such as tapeworm, human roundworm etc. . Faecal examination allows to determine the type of parasite, and thus - to implement appropriate treatment.

Faeces testing for parasites - indications for testing

Faecal parasite testing is recommended when there are symptoms suggesting the presence of tapeworms, human roundworms and other gastrointestinal parasites. These are gastrointestinal ailments, such as digestive disorders, lack of appetite or - on the contrary, ravenous hunger, nausea, belching, weight loss. Symptoms suggestive of allergy such as hives, itching of the skin, swelling of the face and hands, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, dry cough, as well as nervous system symptoms such as insomnia / restless sleep, excessive nervous excitability may also appear. Dark circles under the eyes, a pronounced pale skin, a strong craving for sweets, a prolonged cough, recurrent laryngitis and strep throat can also indicate a parasitic infection.

Faeces examination for parasites - how to properly submit feces for examination?

1) Prepare a container called "stool" (you can buy it at a pharmacy). Put the faeces on clean toilet paper or in a clean, previously scalded and dried vessel (e.g. swimming pool, potty).

Fecal tests should be performed 3 times (if no parasites were found in the previous results). The second sample should be taken 2-3 days after the first test. The third stool sample is collected 2-3 days after the second test .

2) Take the spatula that is attached to the container and transfer some of the stool into it. The sample should be collected from several different places in the faeces passed and should not exceed the size of a walnut. If the faeces are liquid, the sample size should be 2-3 ml. If a parasite or fragments of it are visible in the stool, it should be collectedand place in a separate container with a little water.

3) Label the package with the name and surname as well as the date and time of stool collection. Then put it in a foil bag (but one with the description on the container).

4) It is best to submit the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. However, if it cannot be delivered within 2 hours of collection, it should be put in a cool place (usually a refrigerator). In such conditions, it cannot be kept for more than 2 days.

Important

Do not collect faeces for examination from the toilet bowl

Faeces intended for collection should be placed in a clean and dry container or on clean paper. You should not defecate into the toilet bowl, because water and urine can destroy the parasites present in the stool and thus falsify the test result

Faecal parasite test - how long do I have to wait for the results? How to interpret them?

Test results are received within 7 working days.

The presence of eggs, fragments or mature forms of the parasite confirms the parasitic invasion.

A negative test result does not rule out a parasite infection. Further tests may be necessary. For example, if giardiasis is suspected, the test should be performed up to 6 times within 14 days.

Important

Faecal parasite test - result may be false negative

This means that there may be parasites in the human body, but they have not been detected. This is because the worms lay their eggs every now and then, and you can hit the sample right in the time before laying the eggs. In addition, it can happen that the parasites are immature or too old to lay eggs. Therefore, if the result is negative, but the symptoms indicate that parasitic infestation is highly probable, drugs are administered.

It may also happen that an inexperienced lab technician describes roundworm eggs, while only pollen is present in the faeces, which may look similar to roundworm eggs under a microscope. Then the result is false positive.

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Research