What can be diarrhea and fever and what to do

Diarrhea can be caused by several factors, however, when it occurs accompanied by fever, it can be a sign that the person has a virus or bacterial infection or has triggered an allergic reaction to some medication, for example.

In these cases, you should go to the doctor, who will assess the different symptoms that occur simultaneously with fever and diarrhea, in order to understand what may be the cause of this problem, to recommend the most appropriate treatment and avoid complications.

1. Allergic reaction to medications

Some people may, in some cases, develop allergic reactions to certain medications, manifesting symptoms such as skin reactions, generalized itching, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever, about an hour after taking the medicine.

What to do: the ideal is to see a doctor as soon as possible or even go to the emergency room, as in some cases the person may be at risk of life. Learn how to avoid allergy to the drug and how to identify the most serious signs.

2. Virosis

Virosis, or viral gastroenteritis, is a disease caused by viruses, in which symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, muscle pain and headache appear.

Viruses are more common in babies and children, but can also occur in adults, although it is less common. The symptoms can be varied, since the virus can be caused by several types of viruses, the most common being norovirus and rotavirus.

What to do: during the treatment of the virus, you should eat light and easily digestible foods, such as cooked fruits and vegetables and cooked lean meats. It is also recommended to avoid foods that are too spicy, fatty or difficult to digest. In addition, to avoid dehydration, at least the same amount of serum or water lost through vomiting and diarrhea should be ingested. Check out more tips on how to cure your virus faster.

3. Bacterial infection

Gastroenteritis caused by bacteria like Salmonella sp. , Shigella sp ., Campylobacter sp. or Escherichia coli , can also cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and pain in the body. When infected with more resistant bacteria, the patient may have a high fever and bloody diarrhea.

What to do: Generally, bacterial gastroenteritis improves at home, without having to go to the hospital for specific treatment. However, in people with weakened immune systems or in cases where gastroenteritis is caused by a more resistant bacterium, it may be necessary to take antibiotics or even stay in the hospital to replace lost fluids.

4. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.

What to do: the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases must be individualized for each person, but it usually consists of the administration of painkillers, anti-inflammatories, immune system suppressants, nutritional supplements, antidiarrheals and, in some cases, antibiotics or even surgery. In addition, proper nutrition should be given to the problem, as certain foods can trigger an inflammatory reaction.

5. Amoebiasis or giardiasis

Amoebiasis and giardiasis are infections caused by microorganisms called protozoa and arise when a person ingests contaminated water or food, and in most cases they do not cause any specific symptoms, but when the immune system is weakened or the person is malnourished, they can lead the appearance of diarrhea and fever, in addition to abdominal pain, weight loss, loss of appetite and bloody stools.

What to do: The treatment of these diseases should be indicated by a general practitioner or pediatrician, in the case of children, and consists of the use of antibiotics, such as metronidazole, and antiparasitic agents, such as albendazole.

During treatment it is important to eat light and easily digestible food, take oral serum and other fluids to avoid dehydration, as well as personal hygiene and food care. Learn more about how giardiasis is treated.