Service Description

A stool culture is a test on a stool sample to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection. A sample of stool is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs can cause infection to grow, the culture is positive. The type of germ may be identified using a microscope or chemical tests. Sometimes other tests are done to find the right medicine for treating the infection. This is called sensitivity testing. Depending on what your stool is being tested for, you may only need to collect one stool sample. Or you may need several stool samples over a period of days. A stool culture is done to: Find the cause of the symptoms. It can help explain symptoms such as severe or bloody diarrhea or an increased amount of gas. It can also help find the cause of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, belly pain and cramping, and fever. Find and identify certain types of organisms that are causing infections or diseases. These include food poisoning, inflammation of the large intestine (colitis), cholera, and typhoid. Identify a person who may not have any symptoms of disease but who carries bacteria that can spread the infection to others. This person is called a carrier. A person who is a carrier and who handles food is likely to infect others. Find out if treatment for an infection has worked as it should.