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Stool Culture

Formal name: Stool Culture
Related tests: O&P, Clostridium difficile toxin

Common Questions

1.  What can be done to prevent a bacterial infection?

The best things to do are to not drink water or eat food that may be contaminated and to be careful with sanitation measures such as hand washing. Food that might be contaminated, such as raw meats and eggs, should be cooked thoroughly. Cooked foods and foods that are served raw should not touch any surfaces that may have been contaminated. When you are traveling to developing nations, it is best to only drink bottled water, carbonated drinks, and hot cooked foods. Avoid fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting yourself to those that you can peel yourself. Food from food vendors is generally not considered safe. If someone in your household has an infection that is causing diarrhea, careful hand washing by all family members is recommended, and it may be best to have the person infected not prepare food or drink for others until the infection is over.

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2.  Why must the stool sample be fresh?

Bacteria in the stool will continue to multiply. If the stool is not fresh, or in a preservative, the proportion of the different kinds of bacteria in the stool can change – no longer representing the proportions present in the gastrointestinal tract. Overgrowth of normal bacteria can sometimes prevent the detection of the pathogenic bacteria as can exposing the stool sample to temperature extremes.

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3.  Why shouldn’t I take an over the counter anti-diarrhea medicine when I have infectious diarrhea?

You should only take this on the advice of your doctor. Diarrhea is one of the methods your body uses to help rid itself of the infection. If you slow down or prevent this from happening by taking anti-diarrhea medication, you can prolong the amount of time that you are ill and sometimes make your infection worse.

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4.  Once I’ve had a pathogenic bacterial infection, can I be re-infected?

Generally yes. You may develop a short-term immunity against the particular strain of pathogenic bacteria that caused your infection, but there are many other types and strains of pathogenic bacteria that can make you ill if you are exposed to them.

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5.  What else can cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be due to a viral infection, parasitic infection, food intolerance, due to certain medications (directly causing diarrhea or indirectly by decreasing normal flora), to a bowel disease or bowel dysfunction. Diarrhea may also be caused or exacerbated by psychological stresses.

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