What types of things can be detected from a stool culture? it has me very nervous.

Many things.: It depends on the type of "culture". Commonly bacteria.. But also viruses, fungus and even ova and parasite (if ordered). Additionally we usually look for occult blood and white blood cells (by a few different names).

Bacteria: A stool culture looks for bacterial causes of diarrhea, such as salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, and e. Coli. For parasites, you need a stool o;p test.