Toxocara and Giardia antibodies
toxocariasis test · giardiasis test · Giardia antibodies · worm test · parasite blood test
This blood test looks for antibodies to two parasites: Toxocara, which comes from dogs and cats, and Giardia, which lives in the bowel.
For skin rash and itching, a cough with no clear cause, belly pain, diarrhea, or high eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in a blood test.
⏱ Duration: the blood draw takes a few minutes; results usually come in 1 to 5 days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food. You usually do not need to fast strictly, but it is better to come 3 to 4 hours after a light, non-fatty meal. Check with the lab.
- Medicines. Do not stop anything on your own. Tell your doctor what you take. They will decide if anything needs to change before the test.
- Your child. If a child is being tested, tell them there will be a quick prick. Bring water and a snack for afterward.
- Clothing. A sleeve you can easily roll up above the elbow.
What to bring
- Your referral or list of tests
- Your ID
- Your complete blood count and stool test, if you had them
How it goes
- You sit down and rest your arm on the armrest
- A band is tied above your elbow, and you are asked to clench your fist a few times
- The skin is wiped with antiseptic
- A quick prick. Blood fills the tubes in a few seconds
- The needle comes out, and a cotton pad is pressed on the spot
What you'll feel
- A quick prick, like a pinch
- Sometimes slight dizziness. Tell the nurse, and they will help you lie down
- A child may be scared. Stay close
Afterwards
- Press the cotton pad for 3 to 5 minutes
- For Giardia, the doctor often also orders a stool test
- Do not give a child worm medicine unless a doctor prescribed it
Contact a doctor straight away if
- The puncture site is very swollen, painful, and red
Common questions
Why is a stool test also needed for Giardia?
Antibodies can stay after the illness is over. A stool test shows more accurately whether the parasite is there now.
Can I take worm pills just in case?
Better not. A doctor prescribes treatment based on test results.