Gastrointestinal Infection ("Stomach Flu") Stool Test Panel

This test may be right for you if any of the following are true:

• You have been suffering from bloody stools, a stomach bug/diarrhea that is moderate (causes you to change your activities) to severe (total disability) or that has lasted longer than 7 days
• You are immunocompromised, and are suffering from stomach flu or diarrhea related symptoms
• You live in, or have recently traveled to, an area where there is an acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) outbreak
• You are experiencing any signs and symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection (see Signs & symptoms section below)

This test may NOT be right for you if you are suffering from mild diarrhea lasting less than a week. Guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology indicate that stool diagnostic testing can be considered in cases of moderate to severe watery diarrhea or dysentery, or when symptoms last longer than 7 days.¹

Stool tests for diarrhea look for genetic material (RNA or DNA) of different bacteria, bacterial toxins, and viruses to determine what may be causing illness that lasts more than a week. This GI panel PCR test includes the following:

Bacteria/Toxin

The bacteria tested include the following: Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter lari, Salmonella species, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexner, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, vibrio parahaemolyticus, vibrio cholera, and Yersinia enterocolitica. To help determine if bacteria present produce specific toxins, the gene markers for Shiga toxin 1 (stx1) and Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) can also be detected by this test.

If Campylobacter Group, Salmonella Species, Shigella Species, Vibrio Group, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shiga toxin 1 or Shiga toxin 2 genes are detected, then an Isolate Referral/Public Health confirmatory test will be automatically performed on your sample, at no extra cost to you.

Viruses

The viruses being tested for include the following: Norovirus (G1.GII) and Rotavirus (group A).

Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal issues caused by the pathogens listed above include the following:

• Diarrhea – watery, bloody, or mucous-containing stool
• Fever and chills
• Dehydration
• Stomach tenderness, pain, or cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Muscle aches and pain

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 18 and 100 years old.

Sample collection: This test requires 2 visits to a Quest Diagnostics location for sample container pickup and drop-off. Collection is not available in AZ or HI.

No special preparation required. The markers contained within this test are measured in your stool. You’ll need to book two appointments: one to pick up your stool sample container, and another to return it once you’ve collected your sample.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results and may be able to prescribe treatment, if appropriate.

Included with your purchase, you have the ability to discuss your results with an independent healthcare provider at no extra cost. If your test results are positive, that provider may be able to prescribe treatment options (particularly for Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella groups) or advise you to seek treatment options from your personal healthcare provider.