Concern Over Possible Raw Milk Reaction
Subject: Urgent Concern: Raw Milk Symptoms and Seeking Advice Age 25, residing in the UK, with no prior history of gastrointestinal issues. I just discovered that the milkshake I consumed about 18 hours ago was made from raw milk, which I was unaware of at the time. It’s safe to say I won’t be trying that again. A friend brought me this milkshake from a farm, and although she feels perfectly fine, I’ve had quite the opposite experience. This morning, I woke up to vomit three times, alongside severe diarrhea—well, let’s just say I had to keep a bucket handy. Upon getting up, I was shocked to see the toilet bowl filled with blood! I contacted the 111 service, and they informed me that a doctor would reach out within the next eight hours. However, my stomach is in agony, and I am currently curled up in a fetal position when I’m not rushing to the bathroom, which seems to be every ten minutes or so. Unfortunately, there’s no actual stool, only this alarming mucousy blood. Should I remain patient for a callback from the doctor, or is it crucial for me to head to the hospital? Although I feel a bit sweaty and shaky, I often struggle with health anxiety, making it difficult to gauge the seriousness of my symptoms. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as I’m quite anxious about this situation.
Answers (1)
7/20/2025, 8:30:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your distressing symptoms after consuming raw milk. It's understandable to feel anxious given the situation you're in. Your symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and especially the presence of blood in your stool, are serious and warrant immediate attention.
Key Points:
- Blood in the stool and severe abdominal pain indicates a potential severe reaction that could be related to the raw milk or another underlying issue.
- Given the urgency and seriousness of your symptoms, it’s important to seek immediate medical care.
Explanation: Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or E. coli, which can lead to gastrointestinal distress and more severe complications. The fact that you have bloody stools and severe diarrhea suggests that you could be experiencing a significant infection or other reaction that requires urgent assessment.
Next Steps:
- Seek Emergency Care: Given the presence of blood in your stool and your symptoms, go to your nearest hospital or emergency department right away. Do not wait for the doctor’s callback.
- Stay Hydrated: If possible, try to sip on clear fluids (like water or oral rehydration solutions) to prevent dehydration, which can occur rapidly with persistent diarrhea and vomiting.
- Avoid Eating Solid Foods: Until you've been evaluated by a healthcare provider, stick to fluids. Solid food could worsen your symptoms.
- Document Symptoms: If you can, note the timing and severity of your symptoms for the medical staff. This information can be helpful for diagnosis and treatment.
Feel assured that you are taking the right step by seeking immediate help. Your health and safety are the top priority right now.
Related Questions
Developing an Itchy Rash Following a Client Visit
A 44-year-old woman, without any significant health issues apart from allergies and not currently taking any medications, encountered an uncomfortable situation after a client visit. While working in social services, she noticed an itchy rash that appeared shortly after leaving the client’s residence. Although she initially suspected a bed bug infestation, no evidence of these pests has been found since her departure. Upon returning home, she took certain precautions but now finds herself uncertain about the source of the rash. She visited multiple clients the previous day, making it difficult to pinpoint when the irritation began. The rash became noticeable yesterday and is indeed bothersome. Currently, she has observed the rash on her back, as well as on her lower thigh, and has noted a few spots on her arm and leg. The situation remains concerning as she seeks to identify the cause of this unexpected skin reaction.
Managing Allergic Reactions to Bactrim: Should I Wait It Out?
I'm a 31-year-old female residing in the USA. I’ve been experiencing symptoms such as discomfort during urination and pain on one side of my back. After seeking attention at an urgent care center, the medical professionals suspected I might have a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, with lab results still pending. They prescribed me Bactrim, instructing me to take it twice daily over the course of 14 days. Having taken my first dose roughly an hour ago, I’m now experiencing itching (without any hives) along with some redness and warmth in my face. My breathing feels normal, and I don’t have any additional concerns at this moment. Is it advisable for me to simply pause the medication until I can consult with my doctor tomorrow?
Could I Have Encountered an Allergen? 30-Year-Old Female
I'm a 30-year-old woman with known allergies to skimmed milk, shellfish, mushrooms, and penicillin. I have never required an epinephrine auto-injector because my shellfish reactions have never been serious enough to necessitate one during hospital visits. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in my childhood and am currently undergoing examinations for ankylosing spondylitis. My medications include daily doses of omeprazole and amitriptyline, along with codeine and fexofenadine that I use as needed. Earlier today, I consumed some frozen yogurt, a treat I've enjoyed many times without any adverse reactions. However, these particular yogurts were stored next to a bag of imitation prawns I had bought last week. Unbeknownst to me, the prawns contained crab and lobster, which I only discovered after the fact. I offered the prawn bag to a friend who hasn't picked it up yet, and it remains sealed in the original packaging. Now, I find myself experiencing significant itching, primarily on the left side of my face, which has persisted for about eight hours. I've taken my prescribed fexofenadine along with some over-the-counter cetirizine, yet there's no swelling in my mouth or throat, nor do I have hoarseness—my symptoms are confined to just the left side of my face. I reached out to an out-of-hours healthcare service for advice; they suggested I wait until 9 AM to consult with a pharmacist since it’s currently 11 PM.
Should I Be Worried About Rabies Exposure?
Subject: F31, residing in the United States, height 5 feet, weight 150 pounds, currently in the 37th week of pregnancy, with no significant health issues present. The incident occurred within the last few hours. Yesterday, while preparing food, I accidentally cut my thumb with a knife, and subsequently, the bandage I applied came off. Upon returning home today, I discovered an old bag that had apparently fallen from my car—potentially earlier this week or perhaps even yesterday; I’m not exactly sure. The bag once contained about half a piece of pastry, but it must have been left outside for some time. I decided to pick it up to discard it properly, as I have concerns about littering. In our apartment area, there are numerous stray cats; most appear fairly healthy, though they are predominantly outdoor animals, which makes me apprehensive. My main worry is whether a stray cat might have licked or otherwise contaminated the pastry bag while it was outside. It was sitting in a parking spot on top of the snow. Now, with my cut thumb, I am anxious about possible rabies exposure. If any of these cats were rabid and left saliva on the bag, then it’s possible that I touched it. Unfortunately, I can’t recall if I touched the bag with my injured thumb or not. I’m uncertain about the duration the bag was outside; it may have fallen out of my car a couple of days ago or just this morning when I was getting inside. I live in an area with temperatures hovering around 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and with significant snowfall, it feels quite cold—though I’m not sure if that makes a difference. Regardless, I find myself quite worried about potential exposure. Summary: A food bag fell from my car and I picked it up to avoid littering. I have a noticeable cut on my thumb from a knife. I’m concerned that stray cats, possibly rabid, could have interacted with the bag, and I may have touched it with my injured hand, although I can't recall if I did.
Do Allergies Emerge Suddenly or Intensify Over Time?
I am a 36-year-old woman, weighing 130 pounds, a non-smoker, and I abstain from alcohol as well. Just to let you know, I have an allergist/immunologist and carry an EpiPen with me. For most of my life, I have dealt with an overly responsive immune system, which has led to conditions like psoriasis, occasional viral infections that often require steroid treatment, and a severe reaction to bee stings known as serum sickness. Despite these challenges, I have remained free from allergies for roughly 40 years. In recent years, I have been using Xolair to help manage episodes of hives and angioedema, which likely stem from my hyperactive immune response. I underwent skin testing to identify potential food allergies, but thankfully, there were no reactions noted. Admittedly, I have mostly come to terms with not knowing the underlying reasons for these issues. A few months ago, during a routine appointment, my allergist decided to order several blood tests. Their rationale was that if my condition were idiopathic, it should have resolved itself by now. Alongside this, I have started experiencing sinus problems and gastrointestinal (GI) issues that I didn’t have before, which include inflammation rather than congestion, and I have noticed blood and mucus in my stools. My GI specialist suspects I may have mild Crohn's disease, a condition my mother has battled, and I’ve been extensively examined. I didn’t dwell too much on the results of the blood tests; it felt like just another chapter in my ongoing saga. However, a few weeks ago, I began to have persistent sinus pain daily. This discomfort was not accompanied by congestion, only painful inflammation. That’s when I realized that this pain coincided with episodes of flushing. While I have type 1 rosacea, the episodes I experienced involved a rapid onset of dark red flushing on my face, a significant sensation of pressure in my eyes, tingling lips without swelling, and an overall feeling of being unwell. It reminded me of the reaction I’d get from a bee sting, where I felt overwhelmed by discomfort, only for it to dissipate after a while. These experiences occurred once or twice each day. I received a prescription for prednisone from my primary care physician, which offered relief for about two days before the symptoms returned. Eventually, I correlated these reactions with consuming milk chocolate chips. I had noticed similar symptoms at other times, but the chocolate was a consistent trigger. Thinking that chocolate is known for causing various reactions, I revisited my blood tests from four months prior. My doctor highlighted that there were allergy antibodies present for milk and its derivatives, and was borderline for egg allergies. At first, I assumed that meant I would have to cope with something like lactose intolerance, which many people experience. So, the question persists: can an allergy remain dormant only to emerge suddenly and perhaps worsen over time? While I have always experienced an itchy throat and facial flushing after consuming certain foods, particularly cheese, this new reaction feels distinctly different.