At a glance
- For adults with symptoms of threadworms.
- The infection spreads easily between people who live together – hygiene is just as important as medicine.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and symptoms in a child mean you need to consult a doctor.
Typical symptoms
- itching around the anus that gets worse in the evening and at night,
- restless sleep and irritability,
- sometimes small, white, thread-like worms that you can see.
What the nurse can do
The Minister of Health's list allows nurses to independently prescribe antiparasitic medicines containing mebendazole or pyrantel.
The nurse will assess your request and, if a medicine is appropriate, issue an e-prescription and give you advice – including advice for the other people in your household.
Hygiene that helps break the cycle of infection
- wash your hands after using the toilet and before eating,
- keep your fingernails cut short,
- change your underwear every day, and wash bedding and towels often,
- don't scratch around your anus.
How it works
You fill in a form
You describe your symptoms and answer questions about your health, the medicines you take and your medical history. It takes a few minutes.
A nurse assesses your request
A nurse or midwife reads your answers and, if anything is missing, asks follow-up questions. It is the nurse or midwife who decides whether a prescription is appropriate.
You get an e-prescription or a clear answer
If a medicine is appropriate, you receive an e-prescription code that you can use at any pharmacy. If not, you'll find out why and what to do next.
When you need to see a doctor
Contact a doctor instead of using an online consultation if:
- the symptoms affect a child or anyone under 18,
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
- you have severe abdominal pain, a fever or blood in your stools,
- you are losing weight for no clear reason,
- your symptoms come back despite treatment.
In an emergency – severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion or loss of consciousness, rapidly worsening symptoms – call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (SOR). An online consultation is not an emergency service.
Frequently asked questions
Can a nurse issue a prescription for threadworm medicine?
Yes. The Minister of Health's list includes antiparasitic substances that a nurse can prescribe independently.
Does the whole family need to be treated?
Threadworms spread easily between people who live together. The nurse will tell you whether other people should be treated too, once they have reviewed your request.
Will I definitely get a prescription?
There's no guarantee. A prescription is issued only when the medicine is appropriate and safe.
The content on this page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
