Stool Test – Indications, Procedures, Results

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read
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Gram stain Urethral discharge - Gram stain; Feces - Gram stain; Stool - Gram stain; Joint fluid - Gram stain; Pericardial fluid - Gram stain; Gram stain of urethral discharge; Gram stain of the cervix; Pleural fluid - Gram stain; Sputum - Gram stain; Skin...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Gram stain Urethral discharge - Gram stain; Feces - Gram stain; Stool - Gram stain; Joint fluid - Gram stain; Pericardial fluid - Gram stain; Gram stain of urethral discharge; Gram stain of the cervix; Pleural fluid - Gram stain; Sputum - Gram stain; Skin lesion - Gram stain; Gram stain of skin lesion; Gram stain of tissue biopsy A Gram stain is a test...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains How the Test is Performed in simple medical language.
  • This article explains How to Prepare for the Test in simple medical language.
  • This article explains How the Test will Feel in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Why the Test is Performed in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.
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Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
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Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

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Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Gram stain

Definition

Urethral discharge – Gram stain; Feces – Gram stain; Stool – Gram stain; Joint fluid – Gram stain; Pericardial fluid – Gram stain; Gram stain of urethral discharge; Gram stain of the cervix; Pleural fluid – Gram stain; Sputum – Gram stain; Skin ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।" data-rx-term="lesion" data-rx-definition="A lesion is an abnormal area of tissue such as a spot, wound, patch, lump, or ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।">lesion – Gram stain; Gram stain of skin lesion; Gram stain of tissue biopsy

A Gram stain is a test used to identify bacteria. It is one of the most common ways to quickly diagnose bacterial infection in the body.

How the Test is Performed

How the test is performed depends on what tissue or fluid from your body is being tested. The test may be quite simple, or you may need to prepare ahead of time.

  • You may need to provide a sputum, urine, or stool sample.
  • Your health care provider may use a needle to take fluid from your body to test. This could be from a joint, from the sac around your heart, or from the space around your lungs.
  • Your provider may need to take a tissue sample, such as from your cervix or skin.

The sample is sent to a laboratory.

  • A small amount is spread in a very thin layer on a glass slide. This is called a smear.
  • A series of stains are added to the sample.
  • A lab team member examines the stained smear under the microscope, looking for bacteria.
  • The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the specific type of bacteria.

How to Prepare for the Test

Your provider will tell you what to do to prepare for the test. For some types of tests, you will not need to do anything.

How the Test will Feel

How the test will feel depends on the method used to take a sample. You may not feel anything, or you may feel pressure and mild pain, such as during a biopsy. You may be given some form of pain medicine so you have little or no pain.

Why the Test is Performed

You may have this test to diagnose an infection caused by bacteria. It can also identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.

This test can help find the cause of various health problems, including:

  • Intestinal infection or illness
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
  • Unexplained swelling or joint pain
  • Signs of a heart infection or fluid buildup in the thin sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium)
  • Signs of infection of the space around the lungs (pleural space)
  • Cough that will not go away, or if you are coughing up material with a foul odor or odd color
  • Infected skin sore

A normal result means that no bacteria or only “friendly” bacteria were found. Some types of bacteria normally live in certain areas of the body, such as the intestines. Bacteria normally don’t live in other areas, such as the brain or spinal fluid.

Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may indicate an infection. You will need further tests, such as a culture, to find out more about the infection.

Risks

Your risks depend on the method used to remove tissue or fluid from your body. You may have no risk at all. Other risks are rare, but may include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Heart or lung puncture
  • Collapsed lung
  • Breathing problems
  • Scarring

Stool Gram stain

Gram stain of stool; Feces Gram stain

A stool Gram stain is a diagnosis. সহজ বাংলা: রক্ত/প্রস্রাব/নমুনা পরীক্ষা।" data-rx-term="laboratory test" data-rx-definition="A laboratory test examines blood, urine, tissue, or other samples to help diagnosis. সহজ বাংলা: রক্ত/প্রস্রাব/নমুনা পরীক্ষা।">laboratory test that uses different stains to detect and identify bacteria in a stool sample.

The Gram stain method is sometimes used to quickly diagnose bacterial infections.

How the Test is Performed

You will need to collect a stool sample.

There are many ways to collect the sample.

  • You can catch the stool on plastic wrap that is loosely placed over the toilet bowl and held in place by the toilet seat. Then you put the sample in a clean container.
  • A test kit is available that supplies a special toilet tissue that you use to collect the sample. After collecting the sample, you put it in a container.
  • Do not take stool samples from the water in the toilet bowl. Doing this can cause an inaccurate test result.

Do not mix urine, water, or toilet tissue with the sample.

For children wearing diapers:

  • Line the diaper with plastic wrap.
  • Position the plastic wrap so that it will prevent urine and stool from mixing. This will provide a better sample.

Your health care provider will give you instructions on when and how to return the sample.

The sample is sent to a laboratory. A small amount is spread in a very thin layer on a glass slide. This is called a smear. A series of special stains are added to the sample. The lab team member looks at the stained smear under the microscope to check for bacteria. The color, size, and shape of the cells help identify the specific bacteria.

How the Test will Feel

A lab smear is painless and does not directly involve the patient.

There is no discomfort when a stool sample is collected at home because it only involves normal bowel functions.

Why the Test is Performed

Your health care provider may order this test to help diagnose an intestinal infection or illness, sometimes involving diarrhea.

Normal Results

A normal result means only normal or “friendly” bacteria were seen on the stained slide. Everyone has friendly bacteria in their intestines.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal result means that an intestinal infection may be present. Stool cultures and other tests can also help diagnose the cause of the infection.

Risks

There are no risks.

Stool guaiac test

FOBT; Guaiac smear test; Fecal occult blood test – guaiac smear; Stool occult blood test – guaiac smear

The stool guaiac test looks for hidden (occult) blood in a stool sample. It can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself. It is the most common type of fecal occult blood test (FOBT).

Guaiac is a substance from a plant that is used to coat the FOBT test cards.

How the Test is Performed

Usually, you collect a small sample of stool at home. Sometimes, a doctor may collect a small amount of stool from you during a rectal examination.

If the test is done at home, you use a test kit. Follow the kit instructions exactly. This ensures accurate results. In brief:

  • You collect a stool sample from 3 different bowel movements.
  • For each bowel movement, you smear a small amount of the stool on a card provided in the kit.
  • You mail the card to a laboratory for testing.

DO NOT take stool samples from the toilet bowl water. This can cause errors.

For infants and young children wearing diapers, you can line the diaper with plastic wrap. Place the plastic wrap so that it keeps the stool away from any urine. Mixing of urine and stool can spoil the sample.

How to Prepare for the Test

Some foods can affect test results. Follow instructions about not eating certain foods before the test. These may include:

  • Red meat
  • Cantaloupe
  • Uncooked broccoli
  • Turnip
  • Radish
  • Horseradish

Some medicines may interfere with the test. These include vitamin C, aspirin, and nonsteroidal infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Ask your health care provider if you need to stop taking these before the test. Never stop or change your medicine without first talking to your provider.

How the Test will Feel

The at-home test involves a normal bowel movement. There is no discomfort.

You may have some discomfort if the stool is collected during a rectal exam.

Why the Test is Performed

This test detects blood in the digestive tract. It may be done if:

  • You are being screened or tested for colon cancer
  • You have abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, or weight loss
  • You have anemia (low blood count)
  • You say you have blood in the stool or black, tarry stools

Normal Results

A negative test result means that there is no blood in the stool.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to problems that cause bleeding in the stomach or intestinal tract, including:

  • Colon cancer or other gastrointestinal (GI) tumors
  • Colon polyps
  • Bleeding veins in the esophagus or stomach ( esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy)
  • infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">Inflammation of the esophagus ( esophagitis )
  • Inflammation of the stomach ( gastritis ) from GI infections
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Peptic ulcer

Other causes of positive test may include:

  • Nosebleed
  • Coughing up blood and then swallowing it

If the stool guaiac results come back positive for blood in the stool, your doctor will likely order other tests, usually including a colonoscopy .

The stool guaiac test does not diagnose cancer. Screening tests such as colonoscopy can help detect cancer. The stool guaiac test and other screenings can catch colon cancer early, when it is easier to treat.

Risks

There can be false-positive and false-negative results.

Errors are reduced when you follow instructions during collection and avoid certain foods and medicines.

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Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

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Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Stool Test – Indications, Procedures, Results

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

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Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

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