Stool Culture

Culture, Stool, Fecal Culture

Why It Is Done

A stool culture is done to:

• Find the cause of symptoms, such as severe or bloody diarrhea, an increased amount of gas, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, abdominal pain and cramping, and fever.
• Find and identify certain types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that are causing infections or diseases, such as food poisoning, inflammation of the large intestine (pseudomembranous enterocolitis), cholera, and typhoid.
• Identify a person who may not have any symptoms of disease but who carries bacteria that can spread 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 been effective.

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Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: April 11, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
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