How to take feces from the toilet. How to take a stool test? How to collect, where and how to take a stool test? Where to take the collected stool test

Some people believe that any container, for example, a matchbox, as in Soviet times, will do for collecting and delivering feces to a medical facility. This is completely incorrect, since the surface of the first jar or box that comes to hand contains bacteria and other microorganisms that are completely unnecessary for research. If you do not want extraneous factors to be mixed with the results of your tests, you need to purchase a special container for collecting stool from the pharmacy.

This is a sterile plastic container with a screw-on lid, into which a special miniature spatula is inserted to collect the material - so as not to touch it with improvised means, again populated with bacteria and microbes. Containers for feces are hermetically sealed and have a very affordable price - from five to thirty rubles. After the purchased container is opened, it is unacceptable to wash it, wipe it with anything, or touch the inner surface with your hands or other objects.

An absorbent diaper may also be required to collect the analysis. They are also sold in pharmacies; it will be enough to buy one piece (the price is about fifteen rubles). The diaper is useful to prevent feces from coming into contact with the surface of the toilet bowl. Despite the fact that you can defecate in another container that has been previously disinfected, most people find it more comfortable and habitual to go “big” to the toilet.

How to collect a stool sample for an adult: collection rules

After you have purchased the necessary sterile container, you can prepare to collect the material. It is important to understand that you need to donate fresh feces, that is, it is advisable to go to the toilet in the morning, on the day of your hospital visit. For adults, it is permissible to submit for analysis material collected late in the evening; in this case, a tightly closed container should be stored in the refrigerator.

The day before the test, you need to limit your intake of unhealthy or unusual foods, if possible, stop taking vitamins, dietary supplements, and medications. It is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages, as well as foods that can cause stool upset (large amounts of fruit, lactic acid products, eating foods that are incompatible with each other). You also cannot give an enema to collect material, take laxatives, or use rectal suppositories.

The first step is to visit the toilet to urinate. Then go through water procedures - wash the genital area and anus with baby soap or intimate hygiene product. Afterwards, you need to dry yourself thoroughly with a towel so that water does not get into the stool and, ultimately, distort the results. Women who have missed their period at the time of taking the test and cannot postpone it should use a tampon to prevent blood from getting into the collected material.

Decide in advance how you will feel more comfortable carrying out the procedure. To collect material for a coprogram, you can choose one of two methods:

1. Use a duck or a vessel, having first washed it with soap and scalded it with boiling water (then the container must be thoroughly dried).
2. Use the toilet and place a sanitary diaper over the water (purchased at the pharmacy).

After you have used the toilet, use the scoop from the container to scoop a small amount of stool into the container. There is no need to collect a full container or put all the feces that came out during defecation into it. For one study, a volume equal to a teaspoon is enough. If the doctor prescribed several tests for you and specified that each requires its own material, you will need several containers, accordingly.

Important point! Do not hesitate to check with the doctor who prescribed you a referral for a coprogram, all the nuances and features of the procedure, and the requirements for the material provided to the laboratory. Depending on the symptoms and problems you present to the hospital for, different stool tests may be required, which may vary. If we are talking about a general analysis of stool, then the recommendations indicated above are completely suitable for this type of study.

How and where to donate feces?

As a rule, laboratories conducting coprogram analysis work in the morning hours (from 7:00 to 10:00); usually the doctor writes the time of arrival at the clinic on the referral. You must take the sheet directing you for analysis with you. You also need to label the container so that laboratory technicians do not lose or accidentally confuse your material with another.

Some containers come with a white sticker on which you need to write your last name and year of birth, and then stick it on the container. Other container options have a special rough strip on the plastic, which is easy to write on with a felt-tip pen or alcohol marker.

After you come to the clinic, you can ask the workers where to give the container with the material. Usually in the corridor there are special tables on which the direction is placed, and a container with feces is placed on top of it. That is, there is no need to hand over anything personally to the laboratory assistant.

Summarizing

Collecting feces for analysis for an adult takes a few minutes. The main thing is not to forget to purchase the necessary container in advance, not to neglect a short-term diet and not to forget about the rules of hygiene before collecting material for analysis. Listen carefully to your doctor's recommendations and stay healthy!

Video - General stool analysis

Not everyone knows how to properly take a stool test, despite the fact that an adult has to do this several times throughout his life. Moreover, the rules for accepting samples from patients are gradually becoming stricter in order to increase the accuracy of the results obtained. How much stool should be collected? Can it be stored in the refrigerator? Should you collect stool for analysis in the morning or in the evening? Here is a far from complete list of questions, the correct answers to which you need to know in advance, so as not to get into, firstly, an awkward situation, and secondly, so that you don’t have to go through this whole procedure again.

How to prepare for stool collection?

Proper preparation for a stool test begins in some cases one or two weeks before the test, when the patient needs to stop using a number of medications that could affect the final result. In general, this also applies to those people who have recently taken such medications, since their residual effect can distort the analysis results, which must be stored very carefully, no matter how long it is necessary. Of course, all this can be done only after consultation with your doctor. As for the drugs themselves, they can be divided into the following groups:

• medications to combat diarrhea (Polifan, Stoperan, Smecta, Imodium, Gidrasec, Neosmectin, Enterol);
• absolutely all antibiotics (including Oxacillin and Cloxacillin);
• antacid drugs such as Maalox, Topalkan, Gastratsid, Phosphalugel, Rennie, Almagel, Gaviscon;
• antihelminthics like Pirantel, Vermox, Levamisole, Zentel;
• laxatives – Forlax, Miralax, Portalak;
• preparations containing bismuth - Denol, Escape;
• anti-inflammatory drugs like Diclofenac, Ketanov, Aspirin;
• cleaning or any other enemas.

Another reason to consult a doctor is if the patient has recently had a colonoscopy (examination of the intestines) or a barium X-ray of the digestive system, both of which can affect the result of a stool test in an adult. They should also be stored carefully, no matter how long it takes.

Finally, there are two more points that you need to pay attention to: firstly, the stool test will have to be rescheduled if the patient suffers from bleeding hemorrhoids, and secondly, this will also have to be done in the case of female menstruation. The reason can be easily understood - in both situations, blood will get into the stool sample, which can confuse the laboratory technician and make him assume that the patient has internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

Proper collection of stool sample

To understand how to take a stool test, you need to know not only about the preparatory measures, but also about the procedure for collecting a stool sample. Most often this happens at home (less often in a hospital), and there are a number of sequential steps that must be followed. You can start preparing in the evening, giving up fatty, spicy, salty or fried foods, as well as alcohol (as you know, it is best to collect morning stool for analysis and not store it for a long time). Immediately before collection, doctors recommend urinating so that urine (no matter how much there is) does not accidentally get into the sample.

Then, in order to ensure the purity of the analysis, the person should wash the anal area and external genitalia. To do this, it is best to use warm boiled water and baby soap, as it contains the least amount of impurities. It is permissible to use furatsilin solution instead of water.

For defecation, you can use any container or container, after making sure that it is dry and clean. After completing the process, you need to use a special container, obtained in advance from the clinic or purchased at the pharmacy: it is in it that, using the included “spatula,” you will need to collect approximately three to five grams of feces (about 30 ml). Visually this is equal to one full teaspoon. Following this, the container will need to be tightly closed and signed on top, first indicating the date of collection of the analysis, as well as your last name and first name. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that it is better to carry out the entire procedure while wearing rubber gloves, which you can even store at home.

As for patients who are unable to collect their feces on their own (bedridden patients), they will have to help their loved one or relative, who will need to use a clean bedpan and a special spatula to transfer part of the feces into a container. The rest of the rules remain unchanged. It is strongly recommended to pay attention to the following:

1. There are situations when a person, for one reason or another, cannot collect his stool immediately before submitting it for analysis (which is not welcomed by doctors);
2. in this case, it is permissible to collect the sample in the evening and store it in the refrigerator until delivery;
3. you need to remember that you can store such a container for a maximum of eight hours, and you need to ensure that the temperature in the refrigerator is about three to five degrees Celsius;
4. It is strictly forbidden to freeze the sample, much less store it in such conditions.

It remains to be added that some studies suggest repeating stool analysis two to three times to create a complete picture of a person’s health status.

What diseases are determined using the analysis?

Using a stool test, it will be possible to detect chronic hemorrhoids, anal fissure and Crohn's disease. We should also not forget about diverticulosis of the colon, peptic ulcer of the duodenum, stomach, chronic pancreatitis and hemolytic anemia. Other pathological conditions determined by the presented stool analysis should be considered benign neoplasms in the colon, intestinal helminthiasis, as well as liver cirrhosis, ulcerative colitis and much more.

Thus, the range of diagnostics carried out through examination is more than extensive.

Using stool analysis, not only certain diseases associated with the functioning of the stomach are detected, but also the intestines, anus and other parts.

That is why it is strongly recommended to periodically undergo the presented check, and also to know everything about how to store the received data and how long this can be done at home. Only if each of the presented requirements is met will it be possible to talk about obtaining reliable results.

Important!

HOW TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER?

Time limit: 0

Navigation (job numbers only)

0 out of 9 tasks completed

Information

TAKE THE FREE TEST! Thanks to detailed answers to all questions at the end of the test, you can REDUCE the likelihood of disease by several times!

You have already taken the test before. You can't start it again.

Test loading...

You must log in or register in order to begin the test.

You must complete the following tests to start this one:

results

Time is over

1.Can cancer be prevented?
The occurrence of a disease such as cancer depends on many factors. No person can ensure complete safety for himself. But everyone can significantly reduce the chances of developing a malignant tumor.

2.How does smoking affect the development of cancer?
Absolutely, categorically forbid yourself from smoking. Everyone is already tired of this truth. But quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing all types of cancer. Smoking is associated with 30% of deaths from cancer. In Russia, lung tumors kill more people than tumors of all other organs.
Eliminating tobacco from your life is the best prevention. Even if you smoke not a pack a day, but only half a day, the risk of lung cancer is already reduced by 27%, as the American Medical Association found.

3.Does excess weight affect the development of cancer?
Look at the scales more often! Extra pounds will affect more than just your waist. The American Institute for Cancer Research has found that obesity promotes the development of tumors of the esophagus, kidneys and gallbladder. The fact is that adipose tissue not only serves to preserve energy reserves, it also has a secretory function: fat produces proteins that affect the development of a chronic inflammatory process in the body. And oncological diseases appear against the background of inflammation. In Russia, WHO associates 26% of all cancer cases with obesity.

4.Do exercise help reduce the risk of cancer?
Spend at least half an hour a week training. Sport is on the same level as proper nutrition when it comes to cancer prevention. In the United States, a third of all deaths are attributed to the fact that patients did not follow any diet or pay attention to physical exercise. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 150 minutes a week at a moderate pace or half as much but at a vigorous pace. However, a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in 2010 shows that even 30 minutes can reduce the risk of breast cancer (which affects one in eight women worldwide) by 35%.

5.How does alcohol affect cancer cells?
Less alcohol! Alcohol has been blamed for causing tumors of the mouth, larynx, liver, rectum and mammary glands. Ethyl alcohol breaks down in the body to acetaldehyde, which is then converted into acetic acid under the action of enzymes. Acetaldehyde is a strong carcinogen. Alcohol is especially harmful for women, as it stimulates the production of estrogens - hormones that affect the growth of breast tissue. Excess estrogen leads to the formation of breast tumors, which means that every extra sip of alcohol increases the risk of getting sick.

6.Which cabbage helps fight cancer?
Love broccoli. Vegetables not only contribute to a healthy diet, but they also help fight cancer. This is also why recommendations for healthy eating contain the rule: half of the daily diet should be vegetables and fruits. Particularly useful are cruciferous vegetables, which contain glucosinolates - substances that, when processed, acquire anti-cancer properties. These vegetables include cabbage: regular cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

7. Red meat affects which organ cancer?
The more vegetables you eat, the less red meat you put on your plate. Research has confirmed that people who eat more than 500g of red meat per week have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

8.Which of the proposed remedies protect against skin cancer?
Stock up on sunscreen! Women aged 18–36 are especially susceptible to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. In Russia, in just 10 years, the incidence of melanoma has increased by 26%, world statistics show an even greater increase. Both tanning equipment and sun rays are blamed for this. The danger can be minimized with a simple tube of sunscreen. A 2010 study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology confirmed that people who regularly apply a special cream have half the incidence of melanoma than those who neglect such cosmetics.
You need to choose a cream with a protection factor of SPF 15, apply it even in winter and even in cloudy weather (the procedure should turn into the same habit as brushing your teeth), and also not expose it to the sun's rays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

9. Do you think stress affects the development of cancer?
Stress itself does not cause cancer, but it weakens the entire body and creates conditions for the development of this disease. Research has shown that constant worry alters the activity of immune cells responsible for triggering the fight-and-flight mechanism. As a result, a large amount of cortisol, monocytes and neutrophils, which are responsible for inflammatory processes, constantly circulate in the blood. And as already mentioned, chronic inflammatory processes can lead to the formation of cancer cells.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! IF THE INFORMATION WAS NECESSARY, YOU CAN LEAVE A FEEDBACK IN THE COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE! WE WILL BE GRATEFUL TO YOU!

1. With answer
2. With a viewing mark

Task 1 of 9

Can cancer be prevented?

1. Task 2 of 9

   How does smoking affect the development of cancer?

2. Task 3 of 9

   Does excess weight affect the development of cancer?

3. Task 4 of 9

   Does exercise help reduce the risk of cancer?

4. Task 5 of 9

   How does alcohol affect cancer cells?

5. Task 6 of 9

   Many people do not know the correct preparation procedure, much less how stool is collected for research. There are no particular difficulties in this, everything is very easy, you just need to follow a few rules.

   In order to collect analyses, you will need the following attributes:

   1. 1 Sterile container for collecting material. It is usually purchased at a pharmacy. Before you begin collecting analysis, you should make sure that the container is clean and completely dry.
   2. 2 A special spatula or stick for collecting the required amount of feces.

   The container can be a plastic or glass vessel, but it must be hermetically sealed. Make sure that the lid is free from manufacturing defects and does not have holes or cracks. You can use a small glass jar, but it will still be safer to purchase a special container at the pharmacy stall. Typically, containers that are designed for collecting stool samples have a built-in wand. It is attached to the lid of the vessel.

   Laboratory studies require a certain amount of feces to fully conduct the study; it is 10-15 ml of feces. This is approximately 2 tsp.

   Basic rules before the study

   Every adult should adhere to the basic rules before undergoing any medical tests.

   1. 1 Feces for analysis must be fresh. Before going to a medical facility, it is advisable to collect morning tests.
   2. 2 You should never mix several samples in one container; this is unacceptable for laboratory research.
   3. 3 Before donating feces, you need to limit yourself in the amount of food you eat. Overeating is unacceptable.
   4. 4 Before submitting feces for research, avoid the use of all kinds of medications.

   

   You should always and under all circumstances adhere to the above rules, because they are not at all difficult to implement. Compliance with them will allow you to obtain correct results and eliminate all kinds of errors.

   Feces that were collected early in the morning are the best material for research. If it is not possible to donate morning excrement, you can collect evening material, but it must be stored in a cold place and for no more than 11-12 hours. Remember that sterility and accuracy are considered an important point when collecting analysis. This affects the final result of the research.

   Pay attention to the container in which the research material will be stored: it must meet all the criteria of sterility and cleanliness. Pre-urinate and wash with antiseptics.

   

   Adult women whose feces collection coincides with their menstrual period are not recommended to undergo tests; it is better to postpone this test, since menstrual blood may get into the material. Well, if the situation is urgent and the test cannot be postponed, then you should use a tampon and thoroughly rinse the genitals from menstrual blood to avoid it getting into the test material.

   To ensure that the process of collecting material for laboratory research is sterile, it is worth using pre-prepared containers. This can be a sterile and cleanly washed jar, bowl, pot or other convenient vessel. You can also use polyethylene film for these purposes, which is fixed to the surface of the toilet.

   Try to follow all the advice of doctors, because this will allow them to make the correct diagnosis as quickly as possible.

   The main advice is to follow a diet. This is due to the fact that all foods consumed before collecting material can negatively affect the final results. This especially applies to products that can cause a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract.

   If you are faced with a similar situation and have eaten forbidden foods, then it is possible that the stool may change its natural and normal color.

   Knowing how to properly collect the test material, you can eliminate the risk of obtaining a negative result.

   In contact with

   Classmates

   Not all people know how to collect feces for analysis. Stool examination is a common method for diagnosing various diseases and is often necessary for passing a medical examination, employment or educational institutions. The result of your research largely depends on how seriously you take the collection of research material. Before taking a stool test, you must avoid alcohol and certain medications, follow a special diet, and prepare a clean container for collecting the material. From the following article you will learn how to collect stool for analysis from an adult.

   Sooner or later, every adult faces the question of getting tested for worm eggs. This examination is required for any registration in a medical institution or admission of children to all preschool organizations.

   Conditions that must be observed:

   • freezing is not allowed;
   • Long-term storage is not allowed (more than 5 - 6 hours);
   • no transport media other than those specified are suitable;
   • A container that is not tightly closed is not allowed;
   • Biomaterial collected the day before cannot be examined.

   How to collect stool analysis

   A high-quality result can only be obtained with good preparation for this procedure. Feces must be submitted to the laboratory no later than 12 hours after the act of defecation. If you need to give it to a child, you should carefully monitor that it does not contain urine impurities. It's best to do this in a clean, dry pot. Collecting analysis from the toilet is prohibited.

   About five grams of biological material from different areas is needed. For example, anal scraping is used to detect pinworms. This procedure can be easily done at home yourself. It is necessary to apply adhesive tape to the base of the anus and then apply it to a glass slide provided by a general practitioner or pediatrician.

   The manipulation should be carried out only in the morning, without washing first. You cannot collect material after an enema, taking a laxative or inserting suppositories.

   How to take a stool test

   After the work has been done, the container must be signed and your last name, first name and date of birth indicated on it. When receiving the test form, the medical professional must tell you how to store stool for analysis for worm eggs.

   If the act occurred in the morning, it is advisable to deliver it to the laboratory warm. If overnight, it is recommended to put the material in the refrigerator, the temperature should not exceed 5 degrees, preferably place the container on a shelf away from the freezer, but not on the refrigerator door.

   Invitro has the most modern laboratory complexes recognized by European standards.

   Types of stool tests

   Modern medicine offers several methods by which feces are examined for worm eggs. Which one needs to be done and how to take it, the attending physician will explain. It all depends on the final goal.

   Each type of research has its own characteristics, which also apply to preparation for them. Even how long a stool sample can be stored matters.

   Stool analysis for protozoa

   This analysis is done for suspected protozoa infection and as a preliminary analysis before planned hospitalization in a hospital, as well as when registering a child in childcare facilities, etc.

   Preparing for a stool test

   Feces are collected in a disposable container with a screw cap and a spoon (this can be obtained in the treatment room) in an amount of no more than 1/3 of the container's volume or in a clean, washed glass jar. The container must clearly indicate the patient's last name, initials, date of birth, and the date and time of collection of the material.

   During collection, it is necessary to avoid impurities of urine and genital secretions. Before being sent to the laboratory, the material must be stored in a refrigerator at 4-8 degrees C. The material must be delivered to the laboratory on the day of collection.

   The units of measurement on the results form indicate not detected/detected, as well as what exactly was detected. Of greatest importance is the detection in the feces of the following protozoa that cause diseases: Entamoeba Histolytica (dysenteric amoeba) causes amebiasis - a disease characterized by ulcerative lesions of the large intestine, sometimes complicated by liver abscesses, damage to the lungs and other organs. The pathogen enters the human body through contaminated food or water.

   Direct transmission occurs between children through dirty hands, indirect transmission occurs through dirty food and water. Giardiasis is manifested by periodic nausea, increased gas formation (flatulence), and diarrhea. In severe forms of the disease, food absorption may be impaired, which is manifested by weight loss.

   Acute forms of the disease are characterized by fever, symptoms of general intoxication and signs of intestinal damage (abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, possible tenesmus - painful urge to defecate). There is an admixture of mucus in the blood in the stool. Characterized by spasm and soreness of the large intestine, enlarged liver. Normally, pathogenic protozoa are not detected in feces.

   Fecal analysis for enterobiasis (pinworm eggs)

   A stool test is done in case of suspicion of enterobiasis (pinworm infection) and before planned hospitalization, as well as when registering a child in child care institutions. Clinical manifestations of enterobiasis are itching in the anal area and intestinal disorders. The causative agent is pinworm. This is a small nematode (roundworm) that lives in the large intestine, and crawling out of the rectum, lays eggs in the folds near the anus.
   The source of infection is a sick person. Infestation

   Fecal analysis for helminth eggs (worm eggs)

   The analysis is done in case of suspicion of helminth infection and as a preliminary analysis before planned hospitalization in a hospital, as well as when registering a child in children's institutions, etc.

   The first is characterized by a general allergic reaction, fever (rashes and swelling on the skin, joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, possible development of gastrointestinal disorders, symptoms of lung damage, enlargement of the liver and spleen. Sometimes severe organ damage develops.

   In the chronic phase, changes in metabolic processes in the body are observed due to the absorption of nutrients by helminths, which causes a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other food components. Changes in the immune system can cause frequent infectious and viral diseases in a child.

   They become infected with the disease through dirty hands. Pinworm larvae, attaching to the skin, cause inflammation, and mature worms disrupt intestinal functions. The waste products of these worms and, especially, their breakdown products have a toxic and allergic effect.

   Preparing for analysis

   The material should be taken in the morning. You should not wash yourself before taking the test. The nurse uses a cotton swab dipped in glycerin to scrape the surface of the perianal folds and lower parts of the rectum.

   The stick is placed in a plastic test tube and tightly closed with a lid.

   As a result of the analysis, pinworm eggs are not found or found. Normally they are not detected.

   Fecal occult blood tests

   The analysis is done if there is a suspicion of bleeding from any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Used to detect “hidden” blood that is not visible during microscopic examination. It is highly sensitive to hemoglobin, a substance contained in red blood cells (erythrocytes).

   It is advisable to use the diet: Milk, dairy products, cereals, mashed potatoes, white bread with butter, 1-2 soft-boiled eggs, some fresh fruit. This food is given for 4-5 days. It is also not recommended to brush your teeth for 2 days due to the possibility of injury to your gums. The stool should be free of enemas and laxatives. For the study, you need about 1 teaspoon of feces.

   Normally, occult blood is not detected.

   A positive reaction to “occult” blood in the stool is observed when:

   • bleeding from the gums;
   • bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus, stomach, intestines;
   • ulcerative and inflammatory processes in the stomach, intestines;
   • hemorrhagic diathesis - a group of diseases, the common manifestation of which is hemorrhagic syndrome (a tendency to repeated intense long-term, most often multiple, bleeding and hemorrhage);
   • polyposis - multiple benign tumors of the mucous membrane of various parts of the intestine;

   Coprogram

   The test is done to collectively describe the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of stool. It is prescribed for diagnosing diseases of the digestive system and assessing the results of treatment. Stool examination allows you to diagnose:

   • violation of acid-forming and enzymatic functions of the stomach;
   • violation of intestinal enzymatic function;
   • violation of the enzymatic function of the pancreas;
   • liver dysfunction;
   • the presence of accelerated evacuation from the stomach and intestines;
   • malabsorption in the duodenum and small intestine;
   • inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract;
   • dysbacteriosis – disruption of the normal intestinal microflora;
   • ulcerative, allergic, spastic colitis - inflammation of the intestines.

   Microscopic examination determines the main elements of feces: muscle fibers, plant fiber, neutral fat, fatty acids and their salts, leukocytes, red blood cells, intestinal epithelial cells, malignant tumor cells, as well as mucus, helminth eggs, and protozoa.

   Preparing for the study

   Discontinuation of medications is recommended. You cannot conduct scatological studies after an enema. After an X-ray examination of the stomach and intestines, stool analysis is indicated no earlier than two days later, since this study is carried out using X-ray contrast agents that are excreted in the feces.

   Feces are collected in a disposable plastic container with an airtight lid and a spatula for sampling or in a clean glass container. Mixing urine into stool should be avoided. The container must be delivered to the laboratory on the same day, and before shipment it must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 3-5 degrees C. For children over 1 year old, the following coprogram indicators are typical:

   If the hospital told you that you need to take a stool test, then you need to know the rules for collecting samples. Remember that the objectivity of the analysis largely depends on how correctly you collected the material. If you break the rules, at best you will have to retake the test, and at worst the diagnosis will be incorrect. Naturally, the effectiveness of subsequent treatment will depend on this. Therefore, take these rules seriously.

   How to collect a stool sample: collection rules

   • Feces should be collected in the morning, immediately before delivery. If this is not possible, then the analysis should be collected no more than 8 hours before delivery to the laboratory. Store the test in the refrigerator, but never freeze it.
   • Urinate first so that urine does not accidentally get into the test. Also avoid introducing water into the analysis.
   • Wash your genitals and anus thoroughly with soapy water and rinse well with boiled water.
   • Collect the analysis in a clean and dry container (e.g. vessel, night vase).
   • Transfer the stool sample (about 10 grams) to a clean, dry storage container. If a stool test is performed for worm eggs, you need to take about 50 grams.

   What not to do when collecting analysis

   • Do not take the test earlier than 2 days after the enema, x-ray of the stomach and intestines.
   • The day before, do not take medications: activated carbon, laxatives, preparations with iron and copper, do not use rectal suppositories.
   • Women should not have stool tests done during menstruation.
   • Follow your diet. Avoid foods that may change the color of stool (such as beets).
   • If the stool is examined for the presence of hidden blood, then 3 days before the test, meat, tomatoes, fish and green vegetables should be excluded from the diet.

   When collecting analysis, try to take stool from different places in the bowel movements. This will make the picture more objective.

   Now you know how to properly collect a stool sample.

   Necessary materials

   How to prepare for a stool test? There is nothing complicated in this procedure. Most of us know how to take a stool test.

   To do this you will need:

   • clean dry container;
   • spatula (stick).

   A glass or plastic bottle (necessarily with a lid) is suitable for collecting stool. You can purchase a special sterile container at the pharmacy. A spatula for collecting material is built into its lid, which is very convenient. For laboratory tests, 10-15 ml of feces is usually sufficient, that is, about one or two teaspoons.

   Important points

   How to prepare for analysis and collect material? Adhere to the following rules:

   1. The feces should be fresh.
   2. The presence of other substances in the sample is unacceptable.
   3. Do not overeat before donating stool.
   4. Stop taking medications before the test.

   Stick to these requirements. Following simple rules will allow you to get reliable results. Let's take a closer look at how to properly take a stool test.

   The best material is freshly collected feces. You need to collect it in the morning. If for some reason this is not possible, then store the mixture in the refrigerator until delivery, but no more than 8-12 hours.

   The purity of the material taken affects the result of the analysis. Before collecting feces, you need to urinate first and then wash with soap. The container for collecting the analysis must be dry and clean, and in some cases it must be sterile. The sample must not contain water or urine. Women during menstruation are not recommended to donate stool to avoid blood contamination. As a last resort, before taking a stool test, you need to wash yourself thoroughly and use a tampon. It is better to empty the bowels in a vessel, pot or other clean container. You can place a clean plastic bag on the toilet for this purpose.

   Follow a diet before taking a stool test. The foods you eat may affect the results. Therefore, before the test, try not to eat foods that cause gastrointestinal upset. Some foods may change the color of your stool. For example, blueberries turn stool black, and beets turn stool red. It is better to avoid taking such products.

   Medicines affect test results. It is better not to use them before donating stool. Medicines that contain bismuth, iron, copper, and activated carbon change the color of feces. It is undesirable to take antibiotics, as they significantly affect the functioning of microorganisms. Avoid various laxatives and fat-based rectal suppositories before collecting a stool test. Doing enemas is also not recommended. People who took a barium preparation during an X-ray contrast examination can donate stool after two days. During this time, substances containing the specified element will leave the body.

   How to take stool for analysis from a child

   Collecting feces from adults is much easier than from children, especially infants. Many mothers are tormented by the question of how to take a stool test. The child should be placed on oilcloth or a clean, ironed diaper. Give him a belly massage to encourage bowel movements.

   You can turn the baby onto his stomach. Experts do not recommend scraping feces from diapers. But if there is no other way, then collect only the top layer that does not come into contact with the diaper. There should be no urine in the stool. If your baby is constipated, you can have a bowel movement using a gas tube. If your child has loose stools, it will be easier to collect the feces from a reusable diaper. Place an oilcloth under the baby and wait. You can check with your pediatrician or nurse about how to properly take a stool test for an infant.

   It is easier to take material from older children. A pot is suitable for this. It should be washed clean with soap and water. You should not use aggressive detergents for disinfection.

   Where to get a stool test

   Stool tests that do not require lengthy laboratory tests can be taken at a local clinic. To do this, the attending physician must write a referral. You need to take a stool test to the laboratory in the morning. The result will be ready within a day.

   More complex tests, which require culture of microorganisms, are carried out in special laboratories. There is everything necessary to create certain conditions for the growth of bacteria. The results of such tests are usually ready in 5-7 days.

   A wide variety of tests are performed in private medical centers. This is very convenient, since you can take a stool test for various studies in one place.

   Preparing for an important process

   To take any stool test, follow the simple principles listed above. Let us consider the individual characteristics of collecting material for each type of study.

   Let's get tested for dysbacteriosis

   This analysis is needed to determine the intestinal microflora. Feces for such a study must be fresh, since some microorganisms may die during storage. The material is collected only in a sterile jar, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. Some laboratories provide such a container. Taking a stool test for dysbacteriosis is easy if you adhere to the basic requirements for collecting material. Follow a diet and limit your medications, especially antibiotics.

   Feces for occult blood testing

   To determine hidden bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, this type of analysis is prescribed.

   The presence of blood is determined by the hemoglobin content in the stool. Before collecting a stool analysis, exclude meat and fish dishes from the menu for three days, as well as foods containing large amounts of iron: apples, spinach, bell peppers and others. It is unacceptable to use an enema or medications before taking the test.

   How to properly collect feces for worm eggs

   Perhaps this type of research is the most common. Many people know how to properly take a stool test for worm eggs. To do this, the material must be collected in a clean, dry container with a lid. Take twice the prescribed amount of stool. It is better to collect material for analysis from different areas. Avoid using laxatives before donating stool. The material can be stored in the refrigerator for a short time before being submitted to the laboratory.

   Stool analysis for intestinal infections

   To determine various infections in the gastrointestinal tract, a stool test is prescribed. Your doctor should explain to you how to take it. Such a study allows us to identify the causative agents of the disease, identify various pathogenic bacteria and rods.

   A sterile container will be required for the stool sample, as microorganisms from the environment may interfere with the test result. Do not take antibiotics before collecting material.

   Collecting feces for scatology

   A scatological examination allows you to check the functioning of the digestive system and evaluate the metabolism that occurs during digestion. It is necessary to collect material for this analysis from different areas. If mucus, fibers, or heterogeneous parts are observed in the stool, take them for analysis. Otherwise, adhere to the general principles of collecting material.

   As you can see, everything is simple. You just need to know what kind of analysis you need to collect stool for, and prepare properly. In any case, your attending physician should explain how to perform the necessary manipulations. If for some reason the doctor does not do this, do not hesitate to ask him yourself.

   Stool analysis is an informative way to diagnose many pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. It allows you to identify the cause of the development of such unpleasant symptoms as nausea and vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, poor appetite and abdominal pain.

   In order for the results of the study to be accurate, you need to properly prepare before taking the analysis. How to take a stool test to get reliable results?

   Preparing for the test

   The preparation stage is an important point, since the reliability of the results obtained depends on it.

   A special sterile jar with a screw-on lid and a spoon for collecting stool

   
   

   It includes several simple rules:

   • 3-4 days before the test, it is recommended to follow a diet that excludes foods that cause excess gas, diarrhea or constipation - legumes, soda, baked goods, some fresh fruits, cabbage.
   • Before collecting biological material in a container, you should urinate and wash the genital area with running water and soap, after which you should thoroughly wipe off the moisture with a clean towel. These steps will prevent urine and water from getting into the stool, which can distort the result. Most people believe that feces are already contaminated, so there is no point in worrying about hygiene, however, this is fundamentally wrong - in addition to microorganisms, various chemicals found on human clothes and underwear can get into the material. This could be washing powder or remnants of cosmetics applied the day before.
   • An equally important rule is to collect the material in a clean, dry container. A vessel is suitable for adults, and a potty for children. In the absence of a vessel, you can collect feces from the toilet, if its design allows it, but you need to be aware that the toilet is not clean enough and the results may be distorted.
   • On the eve of the analysis, you need to take care of the container for collecting the material. At the pharmacy you can buy special plastic containers with a tightly screwed lid, on the inside of which there is a spoon for collecting stool. In addition to a special container, you can also collect the material in a small glass jar with a lid.

   Rules for taking the analysis

   How much stool should be collected, can it be collected the day before and is it necessary to do an enema? These are the most common questions among patients.

   The collected material should be delivered to the laboratory as early as possible; the maximum storage period at room temperature is no more than 6 hours.

   A filled container can be stored in the refrigerator door for no more than 12 hours. After this time, the microbiological characteristics of feces change, which affects the reliability of the results. The fresher the stool, the more accurate the research results will be. The question of how much material needs to be collected is determined by the purpose of the study, but generally 10 g is required - this is no more than the volume of 1 teaspoon.

   

   Collect stool for examination in the morning

   Most laboratories accept tests early in the morning, so at this stage many may have difficulties - some adult patients are accustomed to defecating at a certain time of day, and a small child cannot be forced to go to the toilet in the morning. In such a situation, you can try to skip one bowel movement the day before - then it will be easier to collect feces in the morning. If attempts to endure it end in failure, then you should collect the latest portion of the material, and in the morning, as early as possible, take it to the laboratory.

   The use of laxatives and enemas to collect material is prohibited, since feces must be formed naturally. This is due to the fact that a certain period of time is allocated for the process of digesting food in the intestines, during which the complete formation of feces occurs. For example, undigested food fragments can often be found in unformed stool, which may lead a specialist to think about insufficient pancreatic function, that is, the person will be given an erroneous diagnosis.

   After taking a laxative or using an enema, the time that feces remain in the body is significantly reduced, and they are additionally contaminated with chemicals and water, which reduces the accuracy of the results obtained. If a person still needs to undergo an enema periodically, this should be done for the last time three days before collecting the material for analysis. The last dose of laxatives should be two days before the test.

   
   

   

   Women are not recommended to take tests during menstruation, as blood from the vagina can easily enter the container, which can also distort the results. If you still need to do this, then before collecting biological material, you need to wash yourself thoroughly and place a tampon in the vagina - it will prevent blood from entering.

   Two to three days before the test, it is not recommended to take certain medications that can change the color, consistency and composition of stool. Such drugs include activated carbon, rectal suppositories, and bismuth-based drugs.

   Rules for collecting analysis for various indications

   Equally important is the purpose of the study. If a stool test is prescribed to detect occult blood, foods rich in iron should be excluded from the diet a few days before the test. Most of all this microelement is contained in meat and offal: rabbit, beef, lamb, liver, chicken hearts and ventricles, tongue.

   When examining feces for the purpose of diagnosing helminthiasis, it is recommended to collect a little more feces; in addition, it is recommended to collect from different areas. Diagnosis of giardiasis is carried out only using a fresh portion of feces, so storing a filled container is undesirable. Before submitting biological material to the laboratory, the container must be signed.