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Do I Need To Take Antibiotics While Suffering From Constant Diarrhea?

Posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2023

Question: Hello - I had diarrhea for a couple of days one time a day. I went for a stool test and it came back with WBC in the Stool 0-1HPF. Do I need to take anibiotics for this? I live in Thailand and they always prescribed them, needed or not.
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow...

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I can say as follows:

1. with regards to your symptoms it may be related with :
- microbial gut misbalance
- acute GI infection
2. With regards to your stool test I can tell that it doesn't indicate a bacterial infection

This is why I suggest using probiotics for one month and only Metronidazole.

There is no indication to take Meiact.

Meantime it is important to avoid sugar and spicy foods.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Klerida Shehu, Gastroenterologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Thank you Dr. Klerida:

I have a follow up question and remark. Since I don't have the Diarrhea any more should I wait for the culture result to let me know what type of Bacteria it is before taking any Antibiotic. The Stool test has no RBC, no Parasites and no Protozoa.
I guess the Doctor figures since there are 0-1WBC's there is Bacteria.
I do take Probiotics on a daily basis since I have IBS issues.

Best Regards - XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow...

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

If you have done a stool culture test than I totally agree with you to wait for the result.

After that, we will discuss antibiotic treatment.

Meantime continue probiotic use.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Klerida Shehu, Gastroenterologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (45 hours later)

Hello Dr. Klerida:

My Stool Culture came back with the following: No enteropathogenic bacteria seen. Negative for Salmonella, Shigella, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas and Vibrio.

The Doctor told me that I did have Bacteria but it was just not the bad kind so I should finish the Antibiotic Meiact 200 till finished!

Please advise -

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow...

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Your stool test result is normal. It means that there is no evidence of bacterial infection.

In my opinion, there is no need for antibiotic use.

Otherwise, if you have started antibiotic use then it is better to finish the course than stopping it.

With regards to probiotics, it will help you to establish bacterial overgrowth.

Hope it was helpful to you.

Regards,
Dr. Klerida Shehu, Gastroenterologist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee