What types of infections can fecal specimens be checked for?

Fecal specimens are particularly useful in diagnosing various gastrointestinal infections, including those caused by bacterial and viral pathogens, as well as infections related to parasites. The presence of blood, mucous, or other abnormalities in feces can indicate infections from bacteria such as Salmonella and Shigella, as well as viral infections like norovirus or rotavirus. Additionally, fecal specimens are routinely examined for ova (eggs) and parasites, which can lead to infections such as giardiasis or intestinal worms.

This comprehensive approach allows healthcare providers to identify the specific cause of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, hence the need for a multifaceted analysis of fecal samples. Each of the other options focuses on infections that are not typically evaluated with fecal samples. Urinary infections pertain to urine, while skin infections involve lesions or conditions of the skin rather than gastrointestinal analysis, and viral infections represent only a small subset of what fecal specimens can reveal. Therefore, the correct answer encapsulates the full spectrum of infections that can be investigated through fecal specimens.