Stool test for parasites (ova and parasites)
stool ova and parasites · O&P test · stool test for worms · parasite stool test
At home, you collect a little stool in a special container. In the lab, it is checked under a microscope for worm eggs and other parasites.
For certificates for kindergarten, school, or a pool; or for belly pain, itching, loose stools, or poor appetite.
⏱ Duration: collecting at home takes a few minutes; results usually come in 1 to 3 days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Container. Get a sterile container with a small scoop from the lab or a pharmacy. Sometimes the container has liquid inside. Do not pour it out.
- Collecting. Collect stool from a natural bowel movement, without enemas or laxatives. Keep urine out of the container.
- Storage. Take it to the lab the same day, usually within a few hours. Ask the lab how to store it.
- Medicines. Do not stop them on your own. Tell your doctor what you take.
What to bring
- The container with the sample
- Your test request form
- Your ID
How it goes
- Pass stool into a clean, dry pot or a bag, not into the toilet water
- Use the scoop in the lid to take a little stool from different spots
- Fill the container about one third full
- Close it tightly and label it
- Take it to the lab within the time you were given
What you'll feel
- Nothing unpleasant, just a little awkward
Afterwards
- Results usually come in 1 to 3 days
- Sometimes the doctor asks for 2 or 3 samples. This makes finding parasites more likely
Common questions
Why repeat the test if nothing was found?
Eggs do not come out every day. So the test is sometimes done several times, a few days apart.
Can I collect stool in the evening and bring it in the morning?
It depends on the lab and the type of container. Ask in advance.