Bacterial gastroenteritis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests

Symptoms & Signs

Each organism causes slightly different symptoms but all result in diarrhea. Other symptoms include:

Abdominal cramps
Abdominal pain
Bloody stools
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis & Tests

Examination of food for bacteria
Stool culture positive for the bacteria that causes the infection
White blood cells in the stool

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Fecal smear
Stool gram stain

Review Date : 1/20/2010
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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Tags: Bacterial gastroenteritis, Bacterial gastroenteritis diagnosis, Bacterial gastroenteritis signs, Bacterial gastroenteritis symptoms.

Bacterial gastroenteritis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests

Symptoms & Signs

Diagnosis & Tests

Bacterial gastroenteritis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors