Amoebiasis Blood Test & Stool Parasite Screen

What is Amoebiasis?

Amoebiasis is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potentially severe complications. It is caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which is transmitted through contaminated food or water. The Ova & Parasites with Giardia Antigen stool test is the most important test for diagnosis because it directly detects the parasite in stool samples.

RECOMMENDED TEST Ova & Parasites w/Giardia Antigen (Stool)
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No extra fees paid at the lab
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
Why Private MD Labs?
90-day money-back guarantee Lab order in minutes Save a trip to the doctor Low prices since 2005 Labs within 2 miles

What causes amoebiasis?

Amoebiasis is caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, which infects the intestines after you ingest microscopic cysts through contaminated food or water. The parasite is most commonly transmitted in areas with poor sanitation, but outbreaks can occur anywhere when food handlers or water sources become contaminated. Once ingested, the cysts travel to your intestines where they release active parasites that attach to the intestinal wall, causing inflammation, ulcers, and the characteristic bloody diarrhea associated with amoebic dysentery.

What is the best test for amoebiasis?

The Ova & Parasites with Giardia Antigen stool test is the most important test for amoebiasis because it directly detects Entamoeba histolytica parasites and their eggs in your stool sample. This comprehensive test examines multiple stool specimens under a microscope to identify the characteristic four-nucleated cysts or active trophozoites that confirm infection. The test is essential because amoebiasis symptoms can mimic other gastrointestinal infections like bacterial dysentery or inflammatory bowel disease, and only microscopic examination can definitively identify the specific parasite responsible for your symptoms. Early detection through stool testing allows your doctor to prescribe the appropriate antiparasitic medications before the infection spreads beyond your intestines to cause liver abscesses or other serious complications.

When should I get tested for amoebiasis?

You should get tested if you develop persistent diarrhea (especially bloody or mucus-filled stools), severe abdominal cramping, or fever after traveling to areas with poor sanitation or drinking untreated water. Testing is particularly important if your symptoms last more than a few days, if you notice weight loss or fatigue, or if you have right upper abdominal pain that could indicate a liver abscess. You should also consider testing if you live in close quarters with someone diagnosed with amoebiasis, work in food service after potential exposure, or have a weakened immune system that makes you more susceptible to severe complications.

What are the symptoms of amoebiasis?
Amoebiasis symptoms typically include watery or bloody diarrhea with mucus, severe abdominal cramping and tenderness, and frequent urgent bowel movements. You might experience fever, nausea, fatigue, and unintended weight loss as the infection progresses. Some people develop amoebic dysentery with multiple daily episodes of bloody stools, while others have milder symptoms that come and go over weeks or months. If the parasite spreads beyond your intestines, you may develop right upper abdominal pain from a liver abscess, along with high fever and sweating, which requires immediate medical attention.
Who is at risk for amoebiasis?
People who travel to developing countries with inadequate water treatment and sanitation systems face the highest risk for amoebiasis. You are also at increased risk if you consume raw vegetables or fruits washed in contaminated water, drink untreated water from streams or wells, or have close contact with someone infected with Entamoeba histolytica. Men who have sex with men, individuals living in institutional settings, and people with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to infection and severe complications. Food handlers who carry the parasite can unknowingly spread it to others through improper hand hygiene.
What happens if amoebiasis is left untreated?
Untreated amoebiasis can cause the parasite to burrow through your intestinal wall, creating deep ulcers that lead to severe bloody diarrhea and potentially life-threatening intestinal perforation. The parasites can enter your bloodstream and travel to your liver, forming amoebic liver abscesses filled with dead tissue that cause intense pain, high fever, and can rupture if not treated promptly. In rare cases, the infection spreads to your lungs, brain, or other organs, causing serious complications that require aggressive treatment. Even without severe complications, chronic untreated amoebiasis causes persistent digestive problems, malnutrition, anemia, and significant weight loss that affects your overall health and quality of life.
Can amoebiasis be diagnosed with a blood test?
Amoebiasis is primarily diagnosed through stool testing rather than blood tests, as the Ova & Parasites examination directly identifies the Entamoeba histolytica parasite in your intestines. However, blood tests that detect antibodies against the parasite can be useful in certain situations, particularly when doctors suspect a liver abscess or extra-intestinal infection that may not show parasites in stool samples. Blood antibody tests remain positive for years after infection, so they cannot distinguish between current and past infections, making stool testing the preferred method for diagnosing active intestinal amoebiasis.
How is amoebiasis treated?
Amoebiasis is treated with antiparasitic medications, typically starting with metronidazole or tinidazole to kill active parasites in your intestinal tissue, followed by paromomycin or iodoquinol to eliminate any remaining cysts in your intestinal tract. Your doctor prescribes a two-phase treatment approach because different medications target different life stages of the parasite, ensuring complete eradication and preventing relapse. Treatment usually lasts 10-14 days, and you should avoid alcohol during therapy as it can cause severe reactions with metronidazole. For liver abscesses, treatment may require longer courses of medication and sometimes needle aspiration or drainage if the abscess is large or at risk of rupturing.
How can I prevent amoebiasis?
You can prevent amoebiasis by drinking only bottled, boiled, or properly filtered water when traveling to areas with questionable sanitation, and avoiding ice cubes made from tap water. Eat only thoroughly cooked foods and avoid raw vegetables or fruits unless you can peel them yourself with clean hands. Practice meticulous hand hygiene, washing your hands with soap and clean water before eating and after using the bathroom, especially in areas where amoebiasis is common. If you are traveling to high-risk areas, stick to reputable restaurants, avoid street food, and use bottled water even for brushing your teeth to minimize your exposure to contaminated water sources.
What can I do at home for amoebiasis?
While medical treatment with prescription antiparasitic medications is essential for curing amoebiasis, you can support your recovery at home by staying well-hydrated with clean bottled or boiled water and oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids lost through diarrhea. Eat bland, easily digestible foods like rice, bananas, toast, and applesauce while avoiding dairy, spicy foods, and high-fiber foods that can irritate your inflamed intestines. Get plenty of rest to help your body fight the infection, and maintain strict hand hygiene to prevent spreading the parasite to family members. Probiotics may help restore healthy gut bacteria after treatment, but always complete your full course of prescribed antiparasitic medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
How’s this work?
Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:
  1. In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
  2. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
  3. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
  4. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
  5. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
  7. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at [email protected], and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
Do you accept health insurance?
Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.
Here’s how easy it is to get blood work done on your terms
Choose a checkup
Order your test Save a trip to the doctor. Your results will come with clear, friendly explanations. Takes 2 minutes
Book a lab
Book an appointment Visit any of our 4,000 nearby lab locations to have your samples collected. Book or walk-in
Choose a checkup
Get results Receive a clear, easy-to-digest health report by email & SMS within a few business days. Get answers, fast

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

You get clinical lab reports & simplified health insights.
Save time & gas, go straight to the lab. Our doctors cover the rest.
Results start landing the next day after your lab visit.*
We don’t sell or share your data. Your time & privacy matter.
US-licensed doctors have your back if things get unclear.
No hidden fees, nice discounts for regular checkups.
Save a trip to the doctor, go directly to the lab
Instant orders, results often overnight*
Results explained in simple language
Reviewed by US licensed doctors
Fast & confidential, we never sell or share your data
No insurance needed, transparent pricing
Demo results
Giardia Antigen Negative
Demo results
Negative Positive
Negative

What this means

Your test came back negative, meaning no Giardia parasites were detected in your stool sample. This is the expected and healthy result, indicating that Giardia is not the cause of any digestive symptoms you may be experiencing.

* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.

Us vs. Them

Not overhyped or overpriced. Just comprehensive blood testing made simple and for everyone.

* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Google reviews 3303 reviews Next
Ova & Parasites w/Giardia Antigen (Stool)
What's included
Fast & easy, results by email & SMS
No need to visit a doctor
Private & confidential
No insurance needed
Results explained
No extra fees paid at the lab

Sample results

Sample image
For you & your coach Health insights Written in human language, backed by science.
Sample image
For you & your doc Classic lab report A familiar and comprehensive lab report.

Ask Me Anything

Your 24/7 Personal Lab Guide

Quick questions:

Which test is right for my symptoms?
What could be causing this?
When should I get tested?
A

Hi, I'm here to make labs simple, clear, and stress-free. Not sure where to start? That's okay. Tell me what's going on and I'll guide you from there.

I can help you:

  • choose the right test
  • prepare for your lab visit
  • take the next step with confidence and more
Just now
A
Not finding what you need? Text 754-799-7833, we've got you.
We provide helpful guidance, not medical diagnoses. For medical decisions, consult a licensed professional.