Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 September 2006 10:33:21
Warning: Squeam Level High. Those with weak stomachs erm... well if you have a weak stomach maybe this is applicable to you... but I still wouldn't read on!
This morning we had a lecture about Poo. Well, to be precise it was about Common Parasitic Infections. But due to their preferred place of residence there was a fair amount of poo-talk.
When collecting a stool sample to test for parasitic infections, there are two important principles regarding the sample. Looser is better and generous servings make the pathology people happy. Apparently in the private sector the sample containers are opaque, however if you are doing your sampling through a public hospital you will be given a transparent urine sampling container. See in the private sector, these things remain private.
Something that I have often wondered is the logistics of the process. I mean, it seems like an awfully small container. Well. You need a primary container (for example an ice cream tubs or an empty take away food container - my lecturer emphasised that a pizza box was not appropriate) and then use a plastic spoon to dole out portions into two official containers. When looking for parasites, it's important for the sample to be delivered to the labs in a timely manner as some parasites can break down outside the body very quickly. You can add a fixative to one of your samples to prevent this occuring. I wonder if it's anything like the puzzle fixative that I bought on Saturday??
Final item on this topic. On Victoria Road (which is a main road in Sydney that goes from the city to West roughly), there is a store called The Stool Shop. It always has a sign out the front saying "All Stools Must Go". It makes me giggle.
The End.