📅 Updated: March 2026 | 🩺 Medically Reviewed by: Edward Salko, D.O. | 💳 HSA/FSA Eligible | 🧪 Detects Giardia, Cryptosporidium & More
Also Known As
Fecal Smear, Parasitic Examination (Stool), Stool O&P, Stool Sample Exam
Stop Guessing. Get Answers for Your Digestive Distress. Are you struggling with persistent diarrhea, stomach cramps, or unexplained fatigue after traveling or eating out? It might not be “just a bug.” The Stool Test for Ova and Parasites (O&P) is the clinical standard for identifying intestinal infections caused by parasites.
Why Choose This Test?
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Comprehensive Screening: Detects the presence of parasitic eggs (ova), cysts, or adult parasites like Giardia, hookworms, and pinworms.
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Avoid Misdiagnosis: Symptoms of parasitic infections often mimic food poisoning or the flu. This test provides the specific data needed for the correct treatment.
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Traveler’s Essential: If you’ve recently traveled internationally and returned with digestive issues, this is the first step in your recovery.
How it Works: This is a laboratory-processed test (Labcorp). You will receive a specialized collection kit to use at home, which you then return to the lab for microscopic analysis by a professional pathologist.
The Purpose of a Stool Ova and Parasite Test
A parasitic infection is very uncomfortable—with symptoms such as vomiting, fatigue, and loose or bloody stool—so you want to get treatment as soon as possible so you can feel better. But you need to know what type of parasite you’re dealing with to get the right medication, or even avoid a misdiagnosis of food poisoning or the flu. That’s when you need an ova and parasite test.
What Does the Ova and Parasite Test Measure?
This test analyzes a stool sample to detect the presence of parasitic eggs or larvae such as pinworms, hookworms, Giardia lamblia, or Entamoeba histolytica.
Who Should Take a Stool Test for Parasites?
A stool ova and parasite test may bring relief if you haven’t had luck finding treatment for symptoms like:
- High fever
- Stomach pain
- Stool that has blood, worms, or mucus
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chronic diarrhea
O&P Test Preparation
This stool test for parasites doesn’t require special preparations. Just be sure to follow the sample collection instructions to avoid contamination.
Ova and Parasite Lab Test Results
Your results will show up as positive (parasites were found) or negative (no parasites were present in the sample). If the O&P test is positive, the results will also tell you what type of parasite you’re infected with so you can get the proper treatment.
Where Can I Get an Ova and Parasite Stool Test Near Me?
Don’t live with the pain and discomfort of a parasitic infection. Take charge of your health and get the answers you need with an ova and parasite stool test. It’s one of more than 400 health tests available in our online store, and you may not need a doctor’s approval before buying a test, depending on the state where you live. Once you’ve found and purchased the test you want:
Step 1: Download the appropriate lab order.
Step 2: Use our lab locator to find a test site near you. We’re affiliated with Labcorp, so you can choose from more than 4,000 lab locations across America.
Step 3: Bring the test order to the lab when it’s time for your appointment.
Step 4: Get your results in your confidential Personalabs account within 2 to 10 business days. (Turnaround times can vary. Contact us, and we can help expedite results if you need them by a certain date.)
Find relief fast. Shop our wide-ranging selection of lab tests today.
How Your Stool Test Works: Simple & Discreet
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Order Online: Purchase your test securely. Your physician’s order is included—no doctor’s visit or insurance hassle required.
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Collect Your Sample: After checkout, you’ll receive a lab requisition. Visit your chosen Labcorp or Quest location to pick up your specialized, discreet collection kit. You can collect your sample in the privacy of your own home.
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Drop Off & Get Results: Return your sample to the lab. Our board-certified pathologists will perform a microscopic analysis. Your private results will be uploaded to your secure Personalabs portal within 2–10 business days.
Clinical Note from Dr. Edward Salko
Edward Salko, D.O., Medical Director at Personalabs: “An Ova and Parasite (O&P) test is a critical diagnostic tool because many parasitic infections do not resolve on their own. Left untreated, these infections can lead to chronic malabsorption, dehydration, and long-term gut health issues. This test is the most reliable way to ensure you receive the specific anti-parasitic medication required for your exact infection.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions can an ova and parasite stool test help identify?
An ova and parasite test detects intestinal parasites such as Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, pinworms, and hookworms. Identifying these organisms helps ensure the right treatment plan and prevents misdiagnosis of issues like food poisoning or the flu.
How does a stool ova and parasite test work?
The test analyzes a stool sample under a microscope to detect parasite eggs, larvae, or cysts. Results indicate whether parasites are present and identify the specific type causing symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss.
What symptoms often lead doctors to recommend an ova and parasite stool test?
Persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, fever, blood or mucus in stool, and unexplained fatigue or weight loss are common symptoms that prompt testing. Chronic or recurring digestive discomfort may also signal the need for this evaluation.
How should patients prepare for a stool ova and parasite test?
Preparation is minimal, but patients must follow collection instructions carefully to avoid contamination. Doctors may recommend temporarily stopping certain medications before providing a sample to ensure accurate results.
What information is included in ova and parasite stool test results?
Results indicate whether parasites were detected and, if positive, specify the type of parasite present. This detail helps healthcare providers prescribe targeted medication to clear the infection and relieve symptoms.
How quickly are results from an ova and parasite test available?
Results are typically available within 2 to 10 business days after sample submission, depending on the lab’s processing time. Some labs offer expedited reporting for patients who need results sooner.
