Sorry for the yucky topic but my son is getting tested for a parasite that my dog has and the lab gave me little cups for 3 stool samples. He said the samples need to be from 3 different days and when I asked if I needed to refrigerate the stool in order to keep them fresh, he said, "Hm...er...I guess so.". =P So I get home and I'm doing a little research on the internet and the stuff that I'm finding is telling me to leave teh stool at room temperature (b/c theres solution in the jars to preserve it) and to submit the sample to the lab within 24 hours. My understanding was that I hold onto all of the samples until I have the last sample which woudl make the first sample 3 days old. I'm having a lack of faith in this guy's ability to give me directions b/c he was clearly unskilled in the whole refrigeration storage question. Any moms out there have to give stool samples for thier little ones? Did you just go back 3 different times to the lab with each fresh batch? Thanks!
I'd call the lab and ask those questions. Maybe the next person you talk to will know what they are talking about.
Ok I just had my son tested. I had 4 different containers (with different liquid in then), that I had to fill. I believe 3 of the four needed to be refrigerated and needed to get to the lab within 48 hours and the 4th could be left at room temp. for 6 months (who does that? I don't know but that's what the nurse told me). I would call the lab again and hope that you don't get the same guy or your doctor and see what they have to say.
I had to do that once after coming back from FL. The lab told me that you have to refrigerate the ones that don't have solution but the ones that do, they actually preserve it so that you wouldn't have to, but you should be able to call any hospitals lab and tell them. I know for one of them, we had to have it fresh, it couldn't be over 2 hours or something like that.
from what i've known, and i use to work at a clinic and hospital, you turn them in as your are collecting them. after you turn in all three then they run the test. you dont worry about a thing, thats the lab's doing.... call the lab again and tell them
I'm a nurse and I can tell you if you like to you can take the stool when he goes potty one time and be done with it. Don't refrigerate it because if they do cultures, the cold slows down the growth process. I know the 3 bottles you are referring to. good luck!
Call the local health department. They have more experience with parasites that a regular doctor has. They are also usually cheaper. I do know that they need to get to the lab fairly quickly so I don't blame you in losing faith.
Regards,
M.
I once had to submit a stool sample and my doctor said to bring it to the lab, but did not specify how to do so, just handed me a big collection container. Well, I collected the sample in the evening and took it to the lab in the morning only to be told that it had to be done on site. Very frustrating! So I would call the lab to confirm.
