Infectious Diarrhea- Guidelines
Infectious diarrhea is also called bacterial gastroenteritis. This is an acute condition.
An inflammation of the stomach and intestines is caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins.
Many different types of bacteria can produce the symptoms associated with bacterial gastroenteritis including Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium, E. coli, Yersinia and others. Some sources of the infection are improperly prepared food, reheated meat dishes, seafood, dairy, and bakery products. Each organism causes slightly different symptoms but all result in diarrhea. Colitis, inflammation of the large intestine, may also be present.
Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloody Stools
Treatment
Here objective of the treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes lost by diarrhea. Antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy is usually not indicated unless systemic involvement is present. Antidiarrheal medications are generally not given because they may prolong the infectious process.
Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions to replace fluids lost by diarrhea and eating no solid food until the diarrhea has passed. People with diarrhea who are unable to take oral fluids due to nausea may need medical attention and intravenous fluids.
I had bad cramps a few minutes before going to the bathroom. I had dark green poop and it burned coming out. What does it mean? And what should I do?
This is likely to be an intestinal infection. Majority of these infections are viral in origin. Only some have a bacterial cause.
You may have to go a few more times to the wash room. This is the best way to expel out the infective bug from your gut.
Keep rehydrating your self by taking ORS (oral rehydration therapy- electrolytes and water). Take a bland and light diet throughout the day, like soups, rice, breads etc. Avoid all heavy meals.
You may have to take over the counter antacids, like tums. This would relieve stomach pain.
If you don’t improve in a day or two, or if you get fever, you may have to go to a doctor. Antibiotics may be required.
Hey, I struggle with yeast infections. I get them out of nowhere. Is there a non medical way I can get it treated that won’t make me go to the doctor? And I have a small knot like thing on one of my lips to my vagina and it hurts but doesn’t look to have anything in it. Does it have to do with the infection too? And can that be fixed without meds and a doctor too?
There are two things to be done to prevent yeast from growing. One is maintaining good hygiene. Take a bath daily and keep the affected area clean and dry, that is free from moisture accumulating there.
Secondly, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and proteins in your meals to boost up your immune system.
For now, if you have yeast infection somewhere, antifungal medications are to be used.
For the knot on your vaginal lip, try warm compress over it, twice daily. This is likely to soften it and may eventually regress.