Question 1

my 21/2yr old has viral gastroenteritis but mild passes loose stools one time once she eats dairy/fried/sugary foods .2 weeks on now how long normal?

Accepted Answer

Several weeks: sometimes after a viral gastroenteritis young children can be left with mild malabsorption and relative lactose intolerance. would try lactose free milk and consider a course of probiotics to improve digestion. avoid super sugary foods and  concentrate on lots of carbs such as rice and potatoes

Question 2

does bacterial or viral gastroenteritis have more severe symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It all depends on the bug, the severity of infection, and the person that gets infected. Severity can't be determined by virus vs. Bacteria. It is all by the individual player.

Question 3

i have viral gastroenteritis and i'm feeling better, this is day 2. i'm no longer vomitting but i still have a little diarria, am i still contagious ?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Patients with viral gastroenteritis can continue to shed virus in their stool for 10-21 days after onset of illness. Frequent hand washing with soap(NOT hand sanitizers) by the patient and household contacts can reduce transmission. All surfaces in contact with stool or vomitus should be wiped with diluted household bleach. Care givers should use disposable gloves(and masks if possible).

Question 4

feeling nauseous, belly pain and diarrhoea for 2 weeks. travelling in india (from u.k.) & have ibs. could it be a bacterial/viral infection in gut?

Accepted Answer

Could be, and can: also be traveller's diarrhoea, you want to see a doctor and get stools analysis, meanwhile drink more fluids,( bottled water, ),  best wishes

Question 5

i was diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis 3 days ago and am still having watery diarrhea. should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

Not yet: If yo go a week or more with continued diarrhea, I would get lab tests and see your Dr  again.

Question 6

is it still viral gastroenteritis if diarrhea began before vomiting? diarrhea for 3 hrs, then vomiting too, now just watery diarrhea. 27/f. scared.

Accepted Answer

Yes, can be viral: The order of diarrhea and vomiting doesn't predict whether what you have is viral since can present both ways. Should you have  bloody diarrhea or fever over 102 F then would go to your doctor. More than likely you have viral gastroenteritis and will run its course over 3 to 5 days.  Can try some peptobismol

Question 7

how will i know if i have viral, bacterial or parasitic type of  diarrhea? help

Accepted Answer

Testing: Blood &amp; stool tests - cultures, ova, parasites &amp; toxins. May need colonoscopy if nothing else gives you the answers. Blood tests are useful to look for eosinophilia associated with helminths (worms), and CBC profile to see if neutrophils or lymphocytes predominate - hints at bacterial vs viral enteritis, respectively. Big pic directs testing, ex blood classically assoc w/ hemorrhagic E. coli.

Question 8

i just finished 10 days of amoxicillin & had diarrhea d/t it how long till it's gone or is due to loss of good bacteria from body & how do i tell?

Accepted Answer

Possible: It is very possible your intestinal tract flora have been disrupted by the antibiotics. An easy way to help restore your "good" bacteria in the gut is to eat yogurt with live cultures.  The diarrhea should resolve soon; please be sure to stay well hydrated with clear fluids.  You can use products such as pedialyte to help keep your electrolytes up.

Question 9

friend's husband went to china on business trip and got diarrhea for two weeks. now she has it for over a week. is this a virus or could he have brought a bacteria home? is a bacteria even contagious?

Accepted Answer

Could be either: If the husband is now better , then she should be better eventually too. Simple diarrhea can clear up on its own but some causes, are by bacteria that may need an antibiotic to clear up. Generally if it lasts more than a week or if you noticed blood in the diarrhea or feel really ill you should see a doctor.

Question 10

is there a virus or bacteria that causes laryngitis, fatigue, and diarrhea for 2 1/2 months?

Accepted Answer

No: Laryngitis from a viral infection usually clears in 7 to 10 days and bacterial laryngitis would be most unusual. Diarrhea lasting 2 ;1/2 months could be due to a nonviral infection. Fatigue can occur with any prolonged illness. I recommend a checkup by your pcp for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Doctor answers about:

Bacterial vs viral diarrhea

A member asked:

My 21/2yr old has viral gastroenteritis but mild passes loose stools one time once she eats dairy/fried/sugary foods .2 weeks on now how long normal?

A member asked:

Does bacterial or viral gastroenteritis have more severe symptoms?

A member asked:

I have viral gastroenteritis and i'm feeling better, this is day 2. i'm no longer vomitting but i still have a little diarria, am i still contagious ?

A member asked:

Feeling nauseous, belly pain and diarrhoea for 2 weeks. travelling in india (from u.k.) & have ibs. could it be a bacterial/viral infection in gut?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis 3 days ago and am still having watery diarrhea. should i be worried?

A member asked:

Is it still viral gastroenteritis if diarrhea began before vomiting? diarrhea for 3 hrs, then vomiting too, now just watery diarrhea. 27/f. scared.

A member asked:

How will i know if i have viral, bacterial or parasitic type of diarrhea? help

A member asked:

I just finished 10 days of amoxicillin & had diarrhea d/t it how long till it's gone or is due to loss of good bacteria from body & how do i tell?

A member asked:

Friend's husband went to china on business trip and got diarrhea for two weeks. now she has it for over a week. is this a virus or could he have brought a bacteria home? is a bacteria even contagious?

A member asked:

Is there a virus or bacteria that causes laryngitis, fatigue, and diarrhea for 2 1/2 months?

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