This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Intestinal worms — such as roundworm, hookworm, threadworm and tapeworm — spread through contaminated soil, food or water and are far more common in regions with limited sanitation, though threadworm (pinworm) is also common in children worldwide. Many infections cause few symptoms but can quietly lead to poor growth and anaemia. They may also be picked up during travel.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain or bloating
Itching around the anus, especially at night
Worms visible in stool
Poor appetite or weight loss
Tiredness or paleness (anaemia)
Poor growth in children
Causes & risk factors
Eating with unwashed hands or eating unwashed fruits and vegetables
Walking barefoot on contaminated soil (hookworm)
Drinking unsafe water
Undercooked meat (tapeworm)
Treatment & self-care
Treatment is a short course of deworming tablets prescribed or recommended by a clinician, often repeated for the whole household. Handwashing, wearing footwear, washing produce and using safe water prevent reinfection. A doctor can advise whether and how often deworming is appropriate.
See a doctor urgently if
Severe abdominal pain or vomiting
Worms vomited up or a swollen abdomen in a child
Persistent diarrhoea or blood in stool
Marked weight loss or paleness
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Intestinal Worms?
Early signs often include abdominal pain or bloating, itching around the anus, especially at night, worms visible in stool. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Intestinal Worms be treated?
Treatment is a short course of deworming tablets prescribed or recommended by a clinician, often repeated for the whole household. Handwashing, wearing footwear, washing produce and using safe water prevent reinfection. A doctor can advise whether and how often deworming is appropriate.
When should I see a doctor about Intestinal Worms?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: severe abdominal pain or vomiting; worms vomited up or a swollen abdomen in a child; persistent diarrhoea or blood in stool; marked weight loss or paleness.