Quick read
Key points
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Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the human gut, most commonly threadworms, but also including roundworms and tapeworms, particularly in areas with less developed sanitation or through undercooked meat or fish. They spread through contaminated food, water, or soil, or from person to person.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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You notice symptoms such as persistent itching around the bottom, abdominal pain, or visible worms in your stool
01 · Know
What is Worms in humans?
Intestinal worms are parasites that can live in the human gut, most commonly threadworms, but also including roundworms and tapeworms, particularly in areas with less developed sanitation or through undercooked meat or fish. They spread through contaminated food, water, or soil, or from person to person.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of worm, but can include itching around the bottom, abdominal pain, changes in appetite, weight loss, and visible worms or segments in stool. Most infections are treatable with medication.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Self-care advice
See your pharmacist or GP for advice on treatment if you suspect a worm infection, particularly if symptoms don't improve or affect a young child.
03 · Act
When to see a doctor
- 1You notice symptoms such as persistent itching around the bottom, abdominal pain, or visible worms in your stool
- 2You have unexplained weight loss or changes in appetite alongside digestive symptoms
- 3A child has symptoms of a worm infection
- 4Symptoms don't improve after treatment
- 5You're concerned about exposure after travel to an area with less developed sanitation
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Take these self-care steps
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
- 1Take prescribed or pharmacy treatment as directed.Most worm infections are treatable with a course of medication from a pharmacy or prescribed by a GP.
- 2Practise good hand hygiene.Regular handwashing, especially before eating and after using the toilet, helps prevent infection and reinfection.
- 3Cook meat and fish thoroughly.This is important for preventing certain types of worm infection, particularly tapeworms.
- 4Treat the whole household if advised.Some types of worm infection, like threadworms, spread easily and may need everyone in the household treated together.
- 5Wash bedding and underwear regularly.This helps reduce the risk of reinfection while treatment takes effect.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Worms in humans ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Most worm infections are straightforward to treat with the right medication, combined with good hygiene to prevent reinfection.
Good hand hygiene, especially before eating, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent picking up or spreading intestinal worms.