Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel

Stomach bugs are notoriously hard to tell apart. Vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and nausea look almost identical whether the cause is a virus, a bacterial infection, or a parasite — but the right response to each is completely different. A self-limiting norovirus needs rest and fluids; a Salmonella or Campylobacter infection may need monitoring and targeted antibiotics; a parasite like Giardia or Cryptosporidium won't clear up on its own and requires specific antiparasitic treatment; and a C. difficile infection after recent antibiotics needs its own distinct approach. Guessing wastes time and can mean taking the wrong treatment — or antibiotics you didn't need at all.

This panel uses PCR (DNA/RNA detection) to test a single stool sample for 24 of the most common gastrointestinal pathogens at once — viruses, bacteria, and parasites — so the actual cause is identified rather than assumed.

Who this test is for

This panel is especially useful if you're experiencing:

• Diarrhea that's severe, bloody, or lasting more than a few days rather than resolving on its own
• Persistent or recurring GI symptoms where the cause has never been pinned down
• Symptoms after travel ("traveler's diarrhea" is frequently ETEC, Shigella, or a parasite)
• Suspected food poisoning — including after eating raw or undercooked shellfish, where Vibrio species are a concern
• GI symptoms following a course of antibiotics, where C. difficile becomes a real possibility
• A household, daycare, or workplace outbreak where you want to know exactly what's circulating
• A need to rule infection in or out before attributing symptoms to a non-infectious condition like IBS or IBD

Why PCR instead of a traditional stool test

• It's comprehensive. One sample screens for 24 pathogens simultaneously — including co-infections, where more than one organism is present at the same time.
• It catches what older methods miss. Standard stool cultures don't reliably detect viruses or parasites, and parasites traditionally require multiple microscope exams across several samples. PCR detects them directly from one sample.
• It's fast and sensitive. Results typically come back in about a day, and PCR can detect pathogens even at low levels that culture-based testing may miss.
• It supports the right treatment. Knowing the specific organism means appropriate, targeted treatment — and just as importantly, it helps avoid unnecessary antibiotics when the cause is viral. Some results (like Shiga toxin–producing E. coli / STEC) also flag organisms where certain treatments should be avoided, making accurate identification genuinely important.