Persistent Diarrhea Following Influenza
In early February, I caught a cold characterized by typical symptoms like a runny nose and cough. It wasn't until the 18th of February that I tested positive for influenza type A. This illness brought on a significant fever reaching 102-103°F (around 39.2°C), accompanied by intense sweating and a harsh cough, alongside my earlier cold symptoms. The infection persisted for about a week, gradually improving, but soon my cough and nasal congestion exacerbated. During a visit to my general practitioner, they noted signs of inflammation in my blood and prescribed Azitrox on the 7th of March. However, I became concerned when I began experiencing diarrhea around the 1st of March. My bowel movements have been mostly unformed, falling into types 6 and 7 on the Bristol stool chart, with only a couple of instances of solid stools. For approximately ten days, I've been using probiotics, and I recently incorporated Psyllium Husk into my regimen a week ago, followed by Boulardii capsules just yesterday. Still, I have not observed significant improvement. On occasions when I initiate a bowel movement without strong urges, I am able to pass softer, but still somewhat solid stools (between types 4 and 5). In contrast, when a strong urge arises, the results tend to be more liquid. Notably, there's been no presence of blood, nor has the frequency significantly increased; in fact, I'm finding that I'm needing to go less often compared to a week or two ago. I've also maintained my weight throughout this episode. Given my anxiety about health issues, this situation tends to exacerbate my worries. My GP reassured me that this is a typical aspect of recovering from a viral infection or flu, but I would appreciate any additional insights or comforting words on this matter.
Answers (1)
3/17/2025, 9:50:40 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about persistent diarrhea, especially following an illness like influenza. Diarrhea can occur as your body continues to recover, and in many cases, it's related to lingering effects of the viral infection or changes in your gut flora.
Explanation
After a viral infection like influenza, it's common for the digestive system to be affected. This can lead to digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, due to a few reasons:
- Inflammation and Recovery: Your body is still healing, and inflammation from the infection can influence gut function.
- Changes in Gut Flora: Antibiotics like Azitrox can disrupt your normal gut bacteria, contributing to loose stools.
- Stress and Anxiety: Health-related anxiety can also affect your digestion and might contribute to changes in bowel habits.
It's reassuring to know you’re not experiencing blood in your stools and that your bowel movement frequency has decreased over time. This indicates some improvement.
Next Steps
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Monitor Your Diet:
- Continue to eat a balanced diet, but emphasize easy-to-digest foods (like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast).
- Avoid dairy, high-fat, and spicy foods temporarily, as these can worsen diarrhea.
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Stay Hydrated:
- Ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids, including clear broth, electrolyte solutions, or herbal teas, to prevent dehydration.
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Continue Probiotics:
- It's good that you're already using probiotics, but consistency is key. Continue with them for a few more weeks to help restore your gut flora.
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Note any Changes:
- Keep monitoring your symptoms. If your diarrhea persists beyond another week without improvements or if you experience any new symptoms (like fever returning, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration), it's important to seek further medical advice.
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Relaxation Techniques:
- Since anxiety can impact your digestion, consider techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or light physical activity to help manage stress.
It's understandable to feel anxious about your health, but the focus on gradual improvement and self-care should help ease your concerns. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
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