Some types of intestinal worms, such as tapeworms, may disappear on their own if you have a strong immune system and healthy diet and lifestyle. However, depending on the type of intestinal worm infection, one may require treatment with an antiparasitic medication. Serious symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. See your doctor if you:
have blood or pus in your stool
are vomiting daily or frequently
have an elevated body temperature
are extremely fatigued and dehydrated
Your treatment plan will be determined based on the type of intestinal worm you have and your symptoms. Tapeworm infections are usually treated with an oral medication, such as praziquantel (Biltricide), which paralyzes the adult tapeworm. The praziquantel (Biltricide) causes the tapeworms to detach from the gut, become dissolved, and then pass out of your body through your stool.
Common treatments for a roundworm infection include mebendazole (Vermox, Emverm) and albendazole (Albenza).
Symptoms typically begin to improve after a few weeks of treatment. Your doctor will most likely take and analyze another stool sample after treatment is complete to see if the worms have disappeared.
