Gastrointestinal infections are among the most common causes of sudden illness, leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. While many infections are short-lived, some can persist, recur, or lead to serious complications if untreated.
The Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Test is an advanced laboratory test that uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause gastrointestinal illness. With our simple at-home stool collection kit, you can quickly and reliably test for multiple pathogens, helping you and your healthcare provider identify the cause of your symptoms and take appropriate action.
Traditional stool culture tests are often limited to detecting only a handful of bacteria and can take several days for results. PCR technology, however, identifies the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of pathogens directly.
This means:
Higher accuracy – Detects even small amounts of pathogen DNA.
Broader coverage – Screens for a wide panel of bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Rapid turnaround – Results are typically available within 1–2 working days.
By testing with PCR, you get a comprehensive and reliable assessment of the causes of gastrointestinal illness.
Our Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Test screens for a broad panel of common and clinically important pathogens, including:
Bacteria and Bacterial Toxins
C. difficile Toxin A/B gene, Campylobacter spp., Enteroaggregative E.coli (EAEC), Enteroinvasive E.coli (EIEC)/Shigella, Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC), Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC), Plesiomonas shigelloides, Salmonella, Shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC) stx1/stx2, Shiga-toxin producing E.coli (STEC) O157:H7, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Yersinia enterocolitica
Viruses
Adenovirus 40/41, Astrovirus, Norovirus GI, Norovirus GII, Rotavirus A, Sapovirus (I, II, IV, V)
Parasites
Cyclospora cayetanensis, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Gardia lamblia
This does NOT include stool for m/c/s – this needs to be requested as a separate test. Please provide two samples if this is required.
This comprehensive approach ensures that even hard-to-detect pathogens are picked up quickly and accurately.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common, but they don’t always have a clear cause. Knowing whether your illness is bacterial, viral, or parasitic is important because the treatment approach differs.
You may want to consider testing if you have:
Persistent or severe diarrhoea lasting more than a few days
Abdominal pain or cramping
Nausea and vomiting
Blood or mucus in your stool
Fever alongside gastrointestinal symptoms
Recent travel abroad (traveller’s diarrhoea)
Concerns about food poisoning or contaminated water
A weakened immune system, where infections can be more serious
Testing helps ensure you get the right care and avoid unnecessary treatments, such as antibiotics for viral infections.
This test may be particularly useful for:
Adults and children with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms
Travellers returning with stomach illness after trips abroad
Healthcare workers or food handlers who may need clearance after an infection
Individuals with recurrent or chronic gut symptoms, where an undiagnosed infection could be a contributing factor
People with underlying health conditions that increase vulnerability to severe infections
We’ve made the process simple, discreet, and reliable:
Order online – Receive your stool collection kit delivered to your door.
Collect your sample – Use the easy-to-follow instructions to collect a small stool sample.
Return the sample – Send it back to our UKAS-accredited laboratory using the prepaid packaging.
Get your results – Access your secure online report, usually within 1–2 working days of the lab receiving your sample.
Your results will clearly show whether any gastrointestinal pathogens were detected.
Negative result – No pathogens were identified. This may indicate a non-infectious cause for your symptoms or that the infection has resolved.
Positive result – One or more pathogens were found. Depending on the pathogen, treatment may involve antibiotics, antiparasitic medication, or supportive care.
Our reports are reviewed by doctors and include guidance on next steps, such as consulting your GP or seeking specialist care.
Faster results – PCR detects pathogens within hours, compared to several days for culture.
Wider coverage – A single test can check for multiple bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
More accurate – Less risk of false negatives, especially for pathogens that are difficult to grow in culture.
Clinical relevance – Helps guide treatment decisions quickly.
Convenience – Test from home, no clinic visit needed.
Speed – Fast processing in accredited UK labs.
Accuracy – Advanced PCR technology ensures reliable results.
Discretion – Secure delivery and confidential online results.
Support – Clear explanations and next steps included in your report.
1. Do I need a doctor’s referral for this test?
No, you can order directly online without a GP appointment.
2. How quickly will I get my results?
Results are usually available within 1–2 working days after your sample arrives at the lab.
3. Can I use this test for children?
Yes, this test can be used for children, though stool sample collection may require assistance from a parent or guardian.
4. Is this test suitable if I’ve recently taken antibiotics?
Antibiotics may reduce detection of bacterial pathogens, but PCR testing is still more sensitive than traditional culture. If possible, wait at least 2 weeks after antibiotics before testing.
5. What should I do if my result is positive?
Your report will provide guidance, but in most cases you should share the results with your GP, who can recommend treatment or further investigation.
Don’t let gut symptoms go unexplained. With the Gastrointestinal Pathogen PCR Test, you can get accurate answers quickly, helping you take control of your health and recovery.
Order online today for fast, discreet home testing.
Our home testing kits are designed to be simple, reliable, and easy to use. After placing your order, your kit will be delivered to your address with clear instructions for collecting your sample (e.g., blood, saliva, or urine or swab). Once collected, return your sample to our UKAS-accredited laboratory using the prepaid packaging. Your secure digital results will be available within 1–3 working days of the lab receiving your sample.
Yes. All tests offered by Repose Healthcare use clinically validated methods and are processed by fully accredited UK laboratories. The results are as accurate as those provided through traditional GP or private clinic services.
No. Our tests are available without the need for a prescription. They are intended for individuals who wish to proactively monitor their health in a private and convenient way.
Your results will be delivered through a secure online portal or an encrypted email, with a password sent separately to you, accompanied by easy-to-understand explanations and clear reference ranges. If any result requires clinical attention, we will guide you on appropriate next steps.
At Repose Healthcare, we prioritise your safety and peace of mind. If your results fall significantly outside the normal range, the following steps will be taken:
Our kits are suitable for adults who wish to monitor key health markers, including cholesterol, vitamin and hormone levels, blood sugar, infections, STIs, and genetic risk factors. Some tests may have age or gender-specific guidance, which will be clearly outlined on the product page.
Orders placed before 2:00pm are dispatched the same day. Kits are sent via tracked Royal Mail 24-hour service and typically arrive within 1–2 working days.
You may cancel your order for a full refund if the kit has not yet been dispatched. Once a kit has been shipped or used, we are unable to offer a refund for hygiene and regulatory reasons. If your kit arrives damaged or incomplete, please contact our customer care team within 14 days, and we will arrange a replacement at no cost.
Absolutely. Our partner laboratories are UKAS-accredited and operate under strict quality control protocols. These labs are used by both NHS and private healthcare providers, ensuring your results are handled with the highest standards.
Yes. Repose Healthcare takes data protection very seriously. We comply fully with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and all relevant data privacy laws. Your personal and medical data is encrypted, stored securely, and never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.
You can view our full Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy at the bottom of our website. These documents outline your rights, our responsibilities, and how we handle your data, orders, and any communications with you.
