Problems after stomach flu

[library]

Over four weeks ago I apparently had stomach flu: threw up for eight hours, then had diarrhea, extremely weak next day, ate a little the second day, severe diarrhea came back the third day. A few days prior to this I had bloating and occasional pain after eating. During the diarrhea, I had a lot of blood in the toilet. I got over the flu (I guess), but I have not returned to normal bowel habits. I'm experiencing extremely loose stools, sometimes explosive diarrhea, and lots of gas after eating and sometimes discomfort, which I guess is trapped gas after eating. Frequency of diarrhea is not a problem; it's usually once or twice a day. Could this still be an aftereffect? Age is 60.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Blood in the stool can be the cause of infectious or viral gastroenteritis.  I would suggest obtaining stool cultures, fecal white cell count, as well as ova/parasite studies to ensure there is no infection present.  If there is an infectious cause, then antibiotics should be given.  



If there continues to be bloody diarrhea, you can consider things like inflammatory bowel disease.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy would be the most reasonable tests to consider next.



A gastroenterology referral is suggested if the symptoms continue.



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.