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Microbiology Fever & Infection Home collection available

Stool culture

Parameters1 tested
SampleStool
FastingNot required
Report in3-5 days

How to prepare

No fasting needed

You can eat and drink normally before the test.

Good to know

No special preparation needed.

Medicines

Tell our phlebotomist about any medicines you take. Don't stop them without asking your doctor.

Comfortable clothes

Wear a loose sleeve so the sample can be taken easily from your arm.

How it works

Book onlinePick a time slot
Home visitSealed, sterile kit
Lab testingBarcode tracked
ReportIn 3-5 days

About this test

Stool culture grows bacteria from a stool sample to find the germ causing diarrhoea, such as Salmonella, Shigella or Vibrio cholerae, and tests which antibiotics will work.

Why is this test done?

  • Find the cause of severe or bloody diarrhoea
  • Diarrhoea lasting more than a few days
  • Choose the right antibiotic
  • Check food handlers or carriers

Symptoms — when should you get tested?

  • Loose motions with blood or mucus
  • Fever and belly cramps
  • Rice-water stools
  • Diarrhoea after travel or outside food

Normal range

Pathogens Not isolated

Reference ranges differ slightly between labs, methods, age and sex. Always discuss your report with your doctor.

If your result is high

Growth of a disease-causing germ confirms bacterial diarrhoea; the report lists effective antibiotics.

Common reasons
  • Salmonella (including typhoid)
  • Shigella (dysentery)
  • Vibrio cholerae
  • E. coli
  • Campylobacter

How is the test done?

  1. 1
    Book online

    Choose your slot for home collection or a visit to our centre.

  2. 2
    Give a stool sample

    Collect a small amount of stool in the clean container provided, without mixing urine or water.

  3. 3
    Tested in our lab

    Your barcoded sample is tested on automated machines with strict quality checks.

  4. 4
    Report on WhatsApp

    A pathologist checks the result and the report reaches you on WhatsApp and email.

Frequently asked questions

Collect fresh stool in the sterile container, without urine or water, and send it within 1–2 hours.

No fasting is needed for this test. You can eat and drink normally.

Your report is usually ready in 3-5 days after the sample reaches our lab. We send it on WhatsApp and email, and you can also download it from the Reports page.

Please call our team to confirm whether home sample collection is available for your location and test.

This test needs a stool sample. No special preparation needed.

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