Problems about pepto bismol disease - Online Doctor Chats

User :   I have had symptoms of flu for 3 days now ache,chills,headache,upper stomach pain it comes and goes but today I have had 3 bowel movements of loose runny black stools what is wrong
Doctor :   Hi
User :   hi
User :   i feel much better all but bowel movements
Doctor :   May I know your age?
User :   29
Doctor :   Are you running fever?
User :   no
Doctor :   Can you describe the type of pain you have in your abdomen?
User :   light a tightness
User :   like sorry
Doctor :   Is the pain located above the umbilicus or below the umbilicus?
User :   just in top part
User :   above
User :   under chest
User :   upper abdomen
User :   also a right lymph node swollen for 3 days nows
User :   under ear
Doctor :   Ok
Doctor :   Are you having nasal congestion, sorethroat?
User :   no
User :   none
Doctor :   Have you seen a doctor?
User :   no
Doctor :   Have you used any medications?
User :   i feel fine now all but black runny stools
User :   just pepto
Doctor :   Do you have any other medical illness such as diabetes?
User :   no
User :   healthy
User :   do u have any idea
Doctor :   Let me explain to you.
Doctor :   Your symptoms are consistent with the features of viral infection.
User :   ok what about the stools that is what worries me
Doctor :   Most viral infections are self limiting illness and do not need any specific measures.
Doctor :   Viral infections do affect the gut causing the loose stools,
User :   black ones
Doctor :   Oh
User :   all 3 have been black
User :   the black stools is my worry i feel fine all but the stools being black and some nauseau
Doctor :   Was the whole stool black stained or were they spots of black stains seen on the stools?
User :   all black
User :   all 3
Doctor :   Ok
Doctor :   Black coloured stools are indication of blood spots in the stools,
Doctor :   if you have been not eating well due to the infection,
User :   no not much food
Doctor :   you may have developed gastritis leading to black coloured stools.
Doctor :   However, since viral infection can also induce thrombocytopenia(low platelets)
Doctor :   which can cause spontaneous bleeding,
Doctor :   you will need blood work ups now.
User :   is this an er visit tonight or can it wait to see if stools get back to normal
Doctor :   The black coloured stools is a concerning problem.
User :   in your opinion tonight or tomorrow
User :   what about all the pepto i have took
Doctor :   Continue the use of pepto,
Doctor :   avoid any pain killers,
User :   no cant it cause black stools
Doctor :   you can use paracetamol tablets.
User :   can it cause black stools
User :   pepto
Doctor :   it is necessary that bleeding events are ruled out.
Doctor :   pepto bismol can stain the stool, however since you also report of abdominal pain,
User :   the pain is mild come and go basis
User :   so er tonight or tomorrow
Doctor :   Get to the doctor as early as possible.
User :   tonight
Doctor :   if the blood counts and platelet counts are normal,
Doctor :   then there is no concerning problem.
Doctor :   the chance of such events are low in the absence of fever,
Doctor :   however, I would not recommend you to take the chance and wait.
Doctor :   Have you followed?
User :   yes
User :   thank you
Doctor :   Do you have any other query?
User :   no thanks
Doctor :   Thanks for consulting me.
Doctor :   Bye for now.