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Can I Do Air Travel Despite Experiencing Headache And Diarrhea?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Jan 2022
Question: I have a headache and diarrhea, which has lasted for 9 days. The doctor did not find an elevated white blood count and put me on doxycyclin in case I have a tick borne illness. I have been on the antibiotic for three days and have not improved. I have been outdoors and live in SC. I am wondering if I need to be tested for something else like West Nile Virus or giardia. I am planning to fly to DC (bringing a student to camp) on Saturday and am assuming I can still go with a headache and diarrhea.
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Answered by Dr. Shinas Hussain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Seems like viral gastroenteritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Viral gastroenteritis can cause diahrrea along with headache. It is also called as stomach flu.
It can be caused by many viruses belonging to different groups common being noro and Rota virus. Genrally symptoms get subsided by itself and no treatment is required. But in your case as the problem persist for longer duration, detailed evaluation is needed.
You can do a rapid stool test to look for noro and rota virus. Also do a stool microscopic examination to look for parasitic infection like giardiasis or amoebiasis.
You can start antibiotics empirically, take ciprofloxacin-tinidazole combination for five to seven days.
West Nile virus generally doesn’t cause gastroenteritis.
As of now drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. It symptoms persist five more days, get admitted and evaluated.
Wishing you good health.
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Shinas Hussain

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2015

Answered : 23669 Questions

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Can I Do Air Travel Despite Experiencing Headache And Diarrhea?

Brief Answer: Seems like viral gastroenteritis. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for the query. Viral gastroenteritis can cause diahrrea along with headache. It is also called as stomach flu. It can be caused by many viruses belonging to different groups common being noro and Rota virus. Genrally symptoms get subsided by itself and no treatment is required. But in your case as the problem persist for longer duration, detailed evaluation is needed. You can do a rapid stool test to look for noro and rota virus. Also do a stool microscopic examination to look for parasitic infection like giardiasis or amoebiasis. You can start antibiotics empirically, take ciprofloxacin-tinidazole combination for five to seven days. West Nile virus generally doesn’t cause gastroenteritis. As of now drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. It symptoms persist five more days, get admitted and evaluated. Wishing you good health. Thanks