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What Causes Diarrhea With Fever And Neck Pain?

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Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016
Question: Yes, my daughter is 22 years old and has yellow stool, diarrhea, fluctuating temperature that goes from normal to feverish (98 to 102) neck ache and head ache. She tested negative for pregnancy, meningitis, and a CT scan showed no appendicitis or ovarian cysts. What can it be? hepatitis?

Also she tested negative for Influenza A and B
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (13 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
sounds like gastroenteritis

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

these are common symptoms in gastroenteritis. The cause cannot be guessed though. If she has diarrhea for more than a couple of days then a stool culture and microscopic examination should be done. Her fever is high enough to justify an antibiotic for the most commonly involved pathogens (like Salmonella for example). Unless contraindicated ciprofloxacin would sound like a reasonable choice for her. Since she's done a CT already, I suppose she's done blood tests too. Can you upload all the results?


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (14 minutes later)
Yes, I will try to figure out how to upload her labs.

Also, three years ago she had cyryptosporidium from a trip to Guatemala.

Working on the upload now. . . .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cryptosporidium does not usually cause fever

Detailed Answer:
Cryptosporidium does not usually cause fever, so it doesn't seem relevant in this case.

I'll be waiting for the reports.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (7 minutes later)
Diarrhea just started today. Severe constipation before that. No vomiting.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
perhaps a viral infection...

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info!

The CT is perfectly normal. The same applies for the complete blood count. The third document is not complete but what I've seen is that she had fever and a fast heart rate, which is expected when fever is present.

Although other tests like CRP (C-reactive protein), urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, liver enzymes, etc would be very helpful to assess her condition better, it seems that with current information she's suffering from a viral - probably - gastroenteritis.

If you have more tests or other information that you'd like to share I'll be glad to comment on them too.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (54 minutes later)
I am attaching another detailed document.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
no serious disorders in the reports

Detailed Answer:
Thanks...

The tests are fine, which means that no serious disorders like dehydration have occurred (at least what these tests may detect). CRP is a useful test that's missing. A very high CRP is usually caused by bacterial infection and antibiotic treatment might be beneficial. A low CRP is usually associated with viral illnesses (antibiotics not required).

These test reports probably indicate viral insult, so symptomatic treatment sounds like the best way to go. The cause cannot be identified with such tests. Stool culture might be helpful although it's not helpful in almost 50% of patients with diarrhea. Microscopic examination of the stool may also provide useful information.

Hepatitis can be almost certainly excluded. Appendicitis is also excluded by the negative CT scan. Viral gastroenteritis is the most likely explanation for her symptoms. If her symptoms persist though, a new visit to the doctor would be recommended.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Diarrhea With Fever And Neck Pain?

Brief Answer: sounds like gastroenteritis Detailed Answer: Hello, these are common symptoms in gastroenteritis. The cause cannot be guessed though. If she has diarrhea for more than a couple of days then a stool culture and microscopic examination should be done. Her fever is high enough to justify an antibiotic for the most commonly involved pathogens (like Salmonella for example). Unless contraindicated ciprofloxacin would sound like a reasonable choice for her. Since she's done a CT already, I suppose she's done blood tests too. Can you upload all the results?