Stool Culture

Culture, Stool, Fecal Culture

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Recent use of antibiotics, medicine (such as bismuth) to control diarrhea, enemas, or laxatives.
• Recent X-ray tests using a contrast material containing barium.
• A stool sample that is mixed with urine or blood.
• Not collecting a large enough sample.
• Not getting the stool sample to the lab for testing quickly enough.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Douglas Dana Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 14, 2006
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.