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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
INFECTIONS AND OR FEVER AS A RESULT OF CONSTIPATION
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
INFECTIONS AND OR FEVER AS A RESULT OF CONSTIPATION
by CROSSONIE, Jan 30, 2004 12:00AM
IS IT POSSIBLE AS A RESULT OF CONSTIPATION TO DEVELOP AN INFECTION WHICH CAN SPREAD THROUGH THE BODY REACH THE BRAIN AND THUS CAUSE MENINGITIS? THE REASON FOR THE QUESTION. A FRIEND WAS CONSTIPATED, HAD A PRESSURE FEELING BELOW/UNDER LEFT BOTTOM RIB CAGE. TESTS AND SCAN WERE DONE BUT SHOWED
NO EXPLANATION. HE CONTRACTED MENINGITIS, NEARLY DIED, WAS TREATED AND REGAINED HIS HEALTH. AFTER TREATMENT HE NO LONGER HAD THIS "PRESSURE". NOW HE IS CONSTIPATED AGAIN AND FEELING THAT PRESSURE AND SCARED TO DEATH THAT HE IS HEADED BACK TO MENINGITIS AGAIN. ON A MORE NORMAL NOTE...CAN CONSTIPATION CAUSE A FEVER? AND DOESN'T FEVER INDICATE AN INFECTION.
NO EXPLANATION. HE CONTRACTED MENINGITIS, NEARLY DIED, WAS TREATED AND REGAINED HIS HEALTH. AFTER TREATMENT HE NO LONGER HAD THIS "PRESSURE". NOW HE IS CONSTIPATED AGAIN AND FEELING THAT PRESSURE AND SCARED TO DEATH THAT HE IS HEADED BACK TO MENINGITIS AGAIN. ON A MORE NORMAL NOTE...CAN CONSTIPATION CAUSE A FEVER? AND DOESN'T FEVER INDICATE AN INFECTION.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 31, 2004 12:00AM
, Jan 31, 2004 12:00AM
It is unlikely that constipation by itself can cause such an infection. I have never heard of such as case.
However if there is a GI source of infection leaking into the bloodstream, this is a possible cause.
Most cases of meningitis occur when colonization by potential pathogens is followed by mucosal invasion of the nasopharynx. However, some patients develop disease by direct extension of bacteria across a skull fracture in the area of the cribriform plate. Other patients develop meningitis following systemic bacteremia, as with endocarditis or a urinary tract infection. Other predisposing conditions include asplenia, complement deficiency, corticosteroid excess, and HIV infection.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Bibliography
Fekete. Clinical features of acute bacterial meningitis. UptoDate, 2004,
However if there is a GI source of infection leaking into the bloodstream, this is a possible cause.
Most cases of meningitis occur when colonization by potential pathogens is followed by mucosal invasion of the nasopharynx. However, some patients develop disease by direct extension of bacteria across a skull fracture in the area of the cribriform plate. Other patients develop meningitis following systemic bacteremia, as with endocarditis or a urinary tract infection. Other predisposing conditions include asplenia, complement deficiency, corticosteroid excess, and HIV infection.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Bibliography
Fekete. Clinical features of acute bacterial meningitis. UptoDate, 2004,
