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C. difficile culture test for diagnosing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis

C. difficile Testing for Antibiotic-Related Diarrhea

Clostridium difficile Culture with Reflex to Toxin B, Real-Time PCR,Isolate

  • Detect bacteria causing severe diarrhea
  • Screen for antibiotic-related gut infection
  • Assess colitis symptoms after antibiotics
$381
First results as soon as overnight*

All results normal? Get your money back. First-time customers only. File a support ticket titled “Money Back Guarantee” with your order number within 15 days of receiving your results. STD, Sickle Cell, and gift orders aren’t eligible. Full terms apply. guarantee
No questions asked refunds
LegitScript certified

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

All results normal? Get your money back. First-time customers only. File a support ticket titled “Money Back Guarantee” with your order number within 15 days of receiving your results. STD, Sickle Cell, and gift orders aren’t eligible. Full terms apply. guarantee
No questions asked refunds
LegitScript certified

What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing persistent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, or fever after taking antibiotics. C. difficile is a bacteria that can overgrow in your gut once antibiotics wipe out your normal gut flora, leading to colitis. This test checks whether that bacteria and its toxins are the cause of your symptoms.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account along with an explanation of what a positive or negative result means. If your result is positive, next steps usually include stopping the antibiotic that triggered the problem (if possible) and starting targeted treatment, along with staying hydrated and eating easy-to-digest foods. The full lab report is downloadable from your account, and if you're retested later you can track your results over time using the trends feature. If you have severe diarrhea, high fever, or signs of dehydration, seek medical care right away.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Watch for watery diarrhea that happens three or more times a day, stomach pain or cramping, low-grade fever, and nausea, especially if these symptoms start during or shortly after a course of antibiotics. Loss of appetite and general fatigue are also common. If symptoms are severe or don't improve after a few days, this test can help identify the cause quickly.

How can I naturally support gut health during recovery?
Eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kefir can help restore healthy bacteria in your gut once the infection clears. Staying well hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks helps replace fluids lost from diarrhea. Avoiding greasy, spicy, or high-fiber foods temporarily can ease digestive strain while your gut heals, and getting extra rest supports your body's natural recovery process.
When will I get my results?
Results are typically ready within about 7 days after your sample is processed at the lab. Because this test may include a culture step followed by a reflex toxin PCR if needed, turnaround can vary slightly depending on what additional testing is triggered. You'll be notified as soon as your results are available in your account.
Who should consider this test?
Anyone who has recently taken antibiotics and developed new diarrhea or stomach cramps should consider this test. It's especially useful for people who've been hospitalized, live in long-term care facilities, or have had C. difficile infections before, since these groups are at higher risk. It's also helpful if a first round of treatment didn't clear up symptoms.
What is C. difficile and why does it matter?
C. difficile is a type of bacteria that can grow out of control in your intestines, usually after antibiotics disturb your normal gut bacteria. It produces toxins that damage the lining of your gut, causing diarrhea and inflammation known as colitis. Catching it early matters because untreated infections can become severe and, in rare cases, dangerous.
What causes a positive C. difficile result?
A positive result usually means the bacteria has overgrown in your gut, most often triggered by recent antibiotic use, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics. Other risk factors include a hospital stay, older age, a weakened immune system, or previous C. difficile infections. Close contact with someone who has an active infection can also spread the bacteria.
How often should I retest?
If you're treated for a confirmed infection, retesting is usually recommended only if symptoms return or don't improve within a week or two of finishing treatment. Testing too soon after treatment can give a false positive since the bacteria's genetic material may still be detectable even after the infection clears. Your results report will note if a retest makes sense for your situation.
What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If your result comes back positive, focus on staying hydrated, resting, and following any pre-collection or follow-up instructions provided with your report. Avoid taking anti-diarrheal medications unless advised, since they can sometimes make the infection worse by keeping toxins in your gut longer. If symptoms are severe, such as high fever, blood in your stool, or intense abdominal pain, seek medical care right away.
How’s this work?
Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:
  1. In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
  2. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
  3. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
  4. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
  5. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
  7. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at [email protected], and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
Do you accept health insurance?
Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

You get clinical lab reports & simplified health insights.
Save time & gas, go straight to the lab. Our doctors cover the rest.
Results start landing the next day after your lab visit.*
We don’t sell or share your data. Your time & privacy matter.
US-licensed doctors have your back if things get unclear.
No hidden fees, nice discounts for regular checkups.
Save a trip to the doctor, go directly to the lab
Get lab order in minutes, results come overnight*
Results explained in simple language
Reviewed by US licensed doctors
Fast & confidential, we never sell or share your data
No insurance needed, transparent pricing
Demo results
Clostridium difficile Toxin B (PCR) Negative
Demo results
Negative Positive
Negative

What this means

A negative result means no C. difficile toxin gene was detected, so your diarrhea is likely due to another cause. A positive result would mean the bacteria and its toxin are present, which usually explains antibiotic-associated diarrhea or colitis symptoms.

* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More advanced tests may take longer due to complexity.
Here’s how easy it is to get blood work done on your terms
Choose a checkup
Order your test Save a trip to the doctor. Your results will come with clear, friendly explanations. Takes 2 minutes
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Book an appointment Visit any of our 4,000 nearby lab locations to have your samples collected. Book or walk-in
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Get results Receive a clear, easy-to-digest health report by email & SMS within a few business days. Get answers, fast

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C. difficile Testing for Antibiotic-Related Diarrhea

  • Detect bacteria causing severe diarrhea
  • Screen for antibiotic-related gut infection
  • Assess colitis symptoms after antibiotics
$381
Still got questions? Text our super-cool support team at 754-799-7833 to get help finding your ideal checkup.
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For informational purposes only. Not medical advice.