The evaluation of gastroenteritis begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with gastroenteritis may include:

• Fever
• Signs of dehydration

Signs of dehydration include:

• Pale, dry skin
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Decreased urination
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken fontanelle in infants
• Rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure when standing
• Confusion
• Lethargy:
• Excessive sleepiness

Tests that may be used to evaluate gastroenteritis include:

• Stool culture
• Complete blood count
• Liver profile
• Kidney profile

A stool culture can detect:

• Cholera
• Shigella infection
• Campylobacter enteritis
• Cryptosporidium enterocolitis
• Giardiasis
• Pseudomembranous colitis:
• Clostridium difficile
• Salmonella gastroenteritis
• Traveler's diarrhea due to bacterial infection
• E. coli

For more information:

• Bacterial gastroenteritis evaluation
• Viral gastroenteritis evaluation
• Cholera evaluation
• Shigella infection evaluation
• Salmonella infection evaluation