GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT INFECTION TEST

Understanding Digestive Infections

Digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) infections happen when harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites enter the digestive tract. These invaders can impact the stomach, intestines, or colon, often causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, and fever. While many infections are short-lived, some can become serious or long-lasting without proper diagnosis and treatment.

The most common causes include contaminated food or water, poor sanitation, and close contact with someone who is infected. For vulnerable groups like young children, older adults, or individuals with weakened immune systems, GI infections can lead to dangerous complications such as dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and in some cases, hospitalization.

What the Test Does and Why It Matters

At East Valley Diagnostics, our Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel uses state-of-the-art multiplex PCR technology to detect a wide range of digestive infections from just one stool sample. Unlike traditional culture tests that can take several days and often miss harder-to-detect organisms, our test delivers precise and reliable results within 24 hours.

This advanced panel identifies:

• Bacterial infections such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, various E. coli strains, Vibrio species, and more
• Viral infections including Norovirus, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Sapovirus, and Astrovirus
• Parasitic infections like Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba histolytica

By covering all major categories of GI pathogens, this test helps healthcare providers quickly pinpoint the cause of illness and decide if antibiotics are needed. It’s an essential tool for fast recovery, accurate treatment, and protecting public health.