What it measures
A stool sample is looked at under the microscope for parasites, their eggs (ova) and cysts, such as Giardia and intestinal worms.
Why people test it
- Tested when diarrhoea, stomach cramps or bloating last for weeks, especially after travel.
- Part of post-travel screens for people who have lived in or visited tropical areas.
- Checked when worms are seen, or a household contact has a gut parasite.
Typical range
Reported as no ova, cysts or parasites seen, or by naming what is found. Methods vary between labs, and your report shows how the lab reads the result.
Finger-prick or vein?
A stool sample in a pot, not blood. Offered as a kit only. Parasites are not passed in every stool, so labs sometimes ask for more than one sample.