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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Occult Blood Positive And Increased RBC In Stool Mean?

Hello Sir...
Firstly, many thanks for answering my queries around 3 days back regarding my daughter aged 2 years 8 months who was down with a bout of gastroenteritis.
In my last query i had forgotten to mention that the culture test revealed E.Coli infection which was heavily susceptible to cefixime antibiotic. After the antibiotic treatment for 5 days, her diarrhea has stopped now and her appetite is very good now. Also she had heavy congestion in the chest during this time accomanied by severe cough.
We got a latest routine stool test done yesterday which says pus cells are 2-3 hpf ( earlier i.e.during the acute diarrhea stage they were 10-12 hpf), Occult Blood Positive, RBC's 6-8 hpf (earlier i.e.during the acute diarrhea stage they were 2-3 hpf)
My queries are as under:
1. Is the occult blood and the increased rbc's in the stools a reason to worry about.
2. Does the reduced pus cells indicate that the infection has cleared or is it that it has just reduced but still present?
3. Does mucus in the stools (which is sometimes visible) something to worry about.
4. I understand that the occult blood and rbc's is due to the damage to the mucosal lining which takes time to heal. Usually what is the time taken for complete healing.
5. She still passes very small amounts of stools around 3-4 times a day though it is not watery at all nor does it smell bad. Only thing is that the colour is dark brown and has lots of mucus. Would you consider this as a normal part of the recovery process.
Your valuable advice and reply is eagerly awaited.
Best Regards
Shrinivas B.Bharadwaj
Fri, 9 Jan 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist 's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Presence of red blood cells and occult blood in stool suggests bleeding in some part of the large intestine.
Since, there is a previous history of infection with E coli, the infection is the most probable cause of damage to the gastrointestinal tract.
Reduction in number of pus cells / white blood cells in stools indicates decrease in the infectious load.
Mucus in stools in background of infection is most probably due to the infection only and not anything serious.
Passage of stools on multiple occasions during day is not serious.
Complete the antibiotic course which has been prescribed.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Does Occult Blood Positive And Increased RBC In Stool Mean?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Presence of red blood cells and occult blood in stool suggests bleeding in some part of the large intestine. Since, there is a previous history of infection with E coli, the infection is the most probable cause of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Reduction in number of pus cells / white blood cells in stools indicates decrease in the infectious load. Mucus in stools in background of infection is most probably due to the infection only and not anything serious. Passage of stools on multiple occasions during day is not serious. Complete the antibiotic course which has been prescribed. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri