HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Have Mild Viral Infection And Bright Red Blood In Bowel Movements. Any Thoughts?

default
Posted on Thu, 11 Oct 2012
Question: wow, ok. well thank you. i was at work on wednesday, and was sent home with what they thought was a mild viral infection. i had excessive bowel sounds, didn't feel right at all, and was pale. when the doc pushed on my lower abdomen, it hurt.
during this time it has hurt when i have a bowel movement, and wed and today only there was a tiny bit of bright red blood on the toilet paper. my -area- feels a bit swollen. i have really bad indigestion and my stomach feels incredibly irritated. my mood has been irritable and weak.
i take nexium, but it doesnt seem to be helping much.
thoughts?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar (32 minutes later)
Hi,

You just need extra electrolytes and water. You need complete bed rest. It takes time from 24 to 48 hours for partial recovery. Nexium partly helps but not the complete treatment. However I do not advice you to stop it.

Viral infection contributes a moderate to severe dehydration. It absorbs a lot of water from the gut making the bowel movements slower and stool texture harder. The sounds happen to be strong though in actual the undigested matter / stool does not move. It inturn leads to excess of water absorption from this waste matter. Home made electrolytes like lemon water with salt and sugar help.

you know that this hard stool will cause pressure on the blood vessels supplying the digestive tract. they engorge and break at the capillary ends to cause blood in the stool while passing.

You should avoid all dehydrating drinks like coffee, alcohol, aerated drinks for next 5 days. If you see more blood in the stool / temp over 102 F / dropping blood pressure, you should go back to the ER / clinic whichever is easy.

Hope this helps.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2087 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Have Mild Viral Infection And Bright Red Blood In Bowel Movements. Any Thoughts?

Hi,

You just need extra electrolytes and water. You need complete bed rest. It takes time from 24 to 48 hours for partial recovery. Nexium partly helps but not the complete treatment. However I do not advice you to stop it.

Viral infection contributes a moderate to severe dehydration. It absorbs a lot of water from the gut making the bowel movements slower and stool texture harder. The sounds happen to be strong though in actual the undigested matter / stool does not move. It inturn leads to excess of water absorption from this waste matter. Home made electrolytes like lemon water with salt and sugar help.

you know that this hard stool will cause pressure on the blood vessels supplying the digestive tract. they engorge and break at the capillary ends to cause blood in the stool while passing.

You should avoid all dehydrating drinks like coffee, alcohol, aerated drinks for next 5 days. If you see more blood in the stool / temp over 102 F / dropping blood pressure, you should go back to the ER / clinic whichever is easy.

Hope this helps.