Could These Be Worms in My Stool?
I'm a 29-year-old residing in New England, USA, and although I haven’t traveled internationally, I recently visited the coast. Just two nights ago, I enjoyed swordfish with my family, and I suspect it might be the source of my current discomfort. That night, around 3 AM, I was jolted awake by intense pain in my lower abdomen, feeling like something was wriggling through my intestines. Each twist and turn in my gut was agonizing. Eventually, I rushed to the bathroom, where the discomfort resulted in diarrhea. Afterward, I noticed remnants of the herbs used on the fish, which made me question whether that was the cause. Fast forward to this morning; I felt normal following the ordeal. However, during my morning ritual, I discovered some white, stringy substances in my stool that raised my alarms—could these be worms? 😭 I visited urgent care, where they provided a sample kit, but I haven’t had the urge to go since. Right now, I’m quite anxious. Can someone more knowledgeable confirm if this resembles worms? 😭😭😭😭😭
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 2:12:08 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably anxious about the possibility of worms in your stool, especially following your recent discomfort. It's good that you've already sought medical attention and received a sample kit for further evaluation. Let's break this down:
Key Points:
- Symptoms & Recent Dietary Changes: Your symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea, along with the discovery of white, stringy substances in your stool, could be concerning but may not necessarily indicate worms.
- Common Causes: The symptoms you've described could stem from food-related issues, such as foodborne illness or a sensitivity to something you ate, rather than parasitic infections.
Explanation:
- White, Stringy Substances: While worms in stool can appear as white or stringy, they can also be mucus or undigested food. Some common types of intestinal worms include roundworms, tapeworms, and pinworms, but these usually come with additional symptoms such as noticeable weight loss, fatigue, or ongoing gastrointestinal issues.
- Food-related Discomfort: Swordfish, if undercooked or contaminated, might cause transient gastrointestinal issues, including the pain and diarrhea you experienced, which may not be related to worms.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a close eye on any further changes in your bowel movements or other symptoms. Note if you have further bouts of diarrhea, pain, or any new symptoms.
- Complete the Sample Kit: If you feel the urge to go again, make sure to complete the sample kit provided by urgent care. This is essential for identifying any possible parasites.
- Stay Hydrated: After experiencing diarrhea, it’s crucial to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Consider electrolyte solutions if needed.
- Dietary Adjustments: For now, stick to bland foods that are easy on your stomach, like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) until your stomach settles.
- Relax and Reduce Anxiety: It’s natural to worry, but focusing on your well-being can help. If the anxiety feels overwhelming, consider mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or gentle stretching.
If your symptoms worsen or do not improve over the next few days, reaching out again for further guidance would be wise. You're taking the right steps towards understanding your health, and I'm here to help if you have more questions or need support.
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