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What Causes Fever, Body Pain And Severe Diarrhea?

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Posted on Thu, 2 Jun 2016
Question: Fever and achy body day 1 loose stools. Day 2 & start of day 3 no fever or achy but severe diarrhea
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
please provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

do you have any medical history (diverticulosis for example)?
Did (or do) you have abdominal pain? Did you have blood in the stool?

Let me make some first comments though. Imodium should be avoided when the patient has either fever or blood in the stool (or both, of course) because it may make things worse sometimes. If you don't have any other history or significant abdominal pain then a gastroenteritis is the most likely diagnosis.

A gastroenteritis can be caused by rotten food or various pathogens (bacterial or viral). The viral causes commonly also cause vomiting. Bacterial disease usually causes only diarrhea and fever (sometimes bloody diarrhea). When the fever is high and bacterial disease is suspected (Salmonella for example) a stool culture is ordered and antibiotic treatment is initiated. If a viral case is suspected or if there's no fever, then antibiotics are usually contraindicated.

In any case, symptomatic treatment is recommended with increased fluid intake, avoidance of fiber, milk and fat in the food, to prevent aggravation of the diarrheas and vigilance for potential complications. A very low blood pressure, too low urine production (less than 500mL per day) or constant abdominal pain are "red flags" that should guide the patient to the ER.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Good Morning
No blood in my stool. My stomach has had some discomfort but I wouldn't say pain. Higher up. The fever was day 1 Accompanied by severe body ache. Yesterday no fever just diarrhea. I haven't eaten much but what I have has been eliminated within an hour.

Didn't have much fluids through the night but I am now. No history of any stomach ailments or anything but some spinal stenosis.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it's probably improving

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info!

The lack of fever probably means improvement. The diarrhea should start to resolve with time. Keep taking fluids, so that your urine color won't be dark yellow. A light yellow color means adequate hydration. Make sure your produce more than 500mL per day. If you start feeling too weak then immediate testing would be required. If the diarrhea does not get less every day then you should visit a doctor.

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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Fever, Body Pain And Severe Diarrhea?

Brief Answer: please provide more information Detailed Answer: Hello, do you have any medical history (diverticulosis for example)? Did (or do) you have abdominal pain? Did you have blood in the stool? Let me make some first comments though. Imodium should be avoided when the patient has either fever or blood in the stool (or both, of course) because it may make things worse sometimes. If you don't have any other history or significant abdominal pain then a gastroenteritis is the most likely diagnosis. A gastroenteritis can be caused by rotten food or various pathogens (bacterial or viral). The viral causes commonly also cause vomiting. Bacterial disease usually causes only diarrhea and fever (sometimes bloody diarrhea). When the fever is high and bacterial disease is suspected (Salmonella for example) a stool culture is ordered and antibiotic treatment is initiated. If a viral case is suspected or if there's no fever, then antibiotics are usually contraindicated. In any case, symptomatic treatment is recommended with increased fluid intake, avoidance of fiber, milk and fat in the food, to prevent aggravation of the diarrheas and vigilance for potential complications. A very low blood pressure, too low urine production (less than 500mL per day) or constant abdominal pain are "red flags" that should guide the patient to the ER. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!