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What Causes Fever, Stomach Cramps And Chills With The History Of Influenza?
Question: Need an experienced gastroenterologist's opinion
I am a 44 year old woman. Healthy overall. Let me tell you what's been happening.
I first got sick from influenza B even though had a flu shot but it got ok after a week. While I was recovering my parents gotsick and I was running around with them. Then myhusbandgot sick with some stomachbug ( had couple of loose motions and mild fever). But was ok in two days. Now just couple of days ( its been third day) today. I started with chills, fever 101 and stomach cramps/gas ( no diarhhea/vomiting). Weird. My temperature is been 99 to 100.4 for three days. The gas is there and cramps too. Its not going away. They did all kind of tests to urine infection, strep, pneumonia. Nothing came. I asked doc to prescribe antibiotics. She did but she says it might not work as it seems viral. On pushing she she prescribed Azithromycin. I have taken full dose of that .. The low grade temperature improved. It is now like 98.9, so a fever is improved. They also did the blood tests and the CBC and electrolytes were normal although ESR was 66. Today I had narrow thin shaped stool with a burning sensation. My condition in terms of gas and abdominal discomfort still there. Today is the day 8th.I am not sure and feel helpless. . Please advise
I am a 44 year old woman. Healthy overall. Let me tell you what's been happening.
I first got sick from influenza B even though had a flu shot but it got ok after a week. While I was recovering my parents gotsick and I was running around with them. Then myhusbandgot sick with some stomachbug ( had couple of loose motions and mild fever). But was ok in two days. Now just couple of days ( its been third day) today. I started with chills, fever 101 and stomach cramps/gas ( no diarhhea/vomiting). Weird. My temperature is been 99 to 100.4 for three days. The gas is there and cramps too. Its not going away. They did all kind of tests to urine infection, strep, pneumonia. Nothing came. I asked doc to prescribe antibiotics. She did but she says it might not work as it seems viral. On pushing she she prescribed Azithromycin. I have taken full dose of that .. The low grade temperature improved. It is now like 98.9, so a fever is improved. They also did the blood tests and the CBC and electrolytes were normal although ESR was 66. Today I had narrow thin shaped stool with a burning sensation. My condition in terms of gas and abdominal discomfort still there. Today is the day 8th.I am not sure and feel helpless. . Please advise
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics were a mistake
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Let me help you here. I deal with such cases in and out of my practice.
Let me assure you that you will be alright in a week's time.
The influenza virus (diagnosed) earlier is continuing into your stomach. It did not resolve completely in a week. it is the nature of the virus. It affects the family.
The nature of symptoms can vary from person to person in the same family. So it was varied with your parents, your husband and you.
The fever that occured during the second episode was low grade around 100 degree. This is antibiotic induced and should not be treated with antibiotic again.
I totally agree with your doctor and should not have prescribed you. They do not work in your case. Azithromycin which is pretty high level class of drug.
The ESR raise could be due to antibiotic use as well. This may not be good for gut infections though so perhaps a wrong choice as well.
I would suggest you should chose wisely to eat and drink in the next one week and you should be alright with normal forming stool and away from dehydration. (burning urine). Antibiotics are a double edged sword they can be really awful if unnecessary.
Choose easily digestible food like bread, liquids. Avoid caffeine, have good amount of non sugared drinks like water for next few days. You should be fine.
I am sorry you had chosen a Ask A GP package hence I am answering you. If you need a Gastroenterologist reply, you should choose 'Ask A Specialist' package and select Gastronterologist as Specialty.
Hope my answer convinces you.
Antibiotics were a mistake
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Let me help you here. I deal with such cases in and out of my practice.
Let me assure you that you will be alright in a week's time.
The influenza virus (diagnosed) earlier is continuing into your stomach. It did not resolve completely in a week. it is the nature of the virus. It affects the family.
The nature of symptoms can vary from person to person in the same family. So it was varied with your parents, your husband and you.
The fever that occured during the second episode was low grade around 100 degree. This is antibiotic induced and should not be treated with antibiotic again.
I totally agree with your doctor and should not have prescribed you. They do not work in your case. Azithromycin which is pretty high level class of drug.
The ESR raise could be due to antibiotic use as well. This may not be good for gut infections though so perhaps a wrong choice as well.
I would suggest you should chose wisely to eat and drink in the next one week and you should be alright with normal forming stool and away from dehydration. (burning urine). Antibiotics are a double edged sword they can be really awful if unnecessary.
Choose easily digestible food like bread, liquids. Avoid caffeine, have good amount of non sugared drinks like water for next few days. You should be fine.
I am sorry you had chosen a Ask A GP package hence I am answering you. If you need a Gastroenterologist reply, you should choose 'Ask A Specialist' package and select Gastronterologist as Specialty.
Hope my answer convinces you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hi doc /thanks for the response. I did ask for specialist but that's ok.
Doc-I have still have low grade fever and My stomach discomfort is still there with lot of gas. And narrow stools with burning sensation when I do the bowl movements. Are u sure it is nothing serious because it is my 9th day. Can't it be some diverticulitis or anything more serious ? I am so worried and beaten down. Please help
Also initially I just had influenza virus b which they retested this time and it was gone and nothing was found this time for that virus with a swab test
Doc-I have still have low grade fever and My stomach discomfort is still there with lot of gas. And narrow stools with burning sensation when I do the bowl movements. Are u sure it is nothing serious because it is my 9th day. Can't it be some diverticulitis or anything more serious ? I am so worried and beaten down. Please help
Also initially I just had influenza virus b which they retested this time and it was gone and nothing was found this time for that virus with a swab test
Brief Answer:
Colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since you were worried about diverticulitis I would explain that. In most cases as I hear they present with Lower abdominal pain for several days like a week to couple of weeks. Typically, the pain is localized and severe and present for several days prior to presentation. Yes there is altered bowel habits, especially constipation that reported by most.
Since there was a normal blood and urine counts I did not consider it.
And as I said I would have chosen antibiotics Ciprofloxacin plus Metronidazole on pushing for antibiotics and not Azithromycin.
As I said earlier Just go on clear liquid diet and very easily digestible absorbable diet for two days and if symptoms improve then diverticulitis can be considered a possibility.
Still Antibiotic colitis is striking me first.
But you should understand we do not have the luxury of examining you and taking a clear history like your doctor in clinic so it is their benefit always.
You can talk to your doctor about my views and go ahead with his suggestion.
Thank you.
Colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since you were worried about diverticulitis I would explain that. In most cases as I hear they present with Lower abdominal pain for several days like a week to couple of weeks. Typically, the pain is localized and severe and present for several days prior to presentation. Yes there is altered bowel habits, especially constipation that reported by most.
Since there was a normal blood and urine counts I did not consider it.
And as I said I would have chosen antibiotics Ciprofloxacin plus Metronidazole on pushing for antibiotics and not Azithromycin.
As I said earlier Just go on clear liquid diet and very easily digestible absorbable diet for two days and if symptoms improve then diverticulitis can be considered a possibility.
Still Antibiotic colitis is striking me first.
But you should understand we do not have the luxury of examining you and taking a clear history like your doctor in clinic so it is their benefit always.
You can talk to your doctor about my views and go ahead with his suggestion.
Thank you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
Answered by
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