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Having Greasy, Smelly Stools And Gas. No Parasites Or Protozoa Found. Suggest?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Oct 2013
Question: I am having greasy, smelly stools and gas. not diarea, but loose. I recently returned from mexico and was treated for travelers diarea and no parasites or protozoa found
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Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Protozoa/parasites not the only infectious agents

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

If you are presenting with those symptoms after coming from such a zone such as Mexico, then it is safe to assume that you must have contracted an infection which must not necessarily be parasitic or protozoal in origin but they are numerous other microbes that could cause same symptoms and can not be seen in some stool tests unless of course specific tests for each suspected microbe is done and for that, a laboratory equipped for that should be considered.
Generally even without using the laboratory I usually effective treat such conditions with antibiotics such as metronidazole, ciprofloxacine/norfloxacin, cotrimoxazole/bactrim etc (you will likely require a prescription for that) then you need to avoid certain food regimens that could promote bacteria growth such as sugar-rich meals and fatty meals. Drink much fluids (especially water) and avoid beer/alcohol until your symptoms have cleared off.
Other microbes that could cause these kinds of symptoms are fungi, E. coli, viruses etc.

Hope this is useful enough information and please feel free to write back if you have any follow-up queries.

Dr. Nsah
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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Having Greasy, Smelly Stools And Gas. No Parasites Or Protozoa Found. Suggest?

Brief Answer:
Protozoa/parasites not the only infectious agents

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

If you are presenting with those symptoms after coming from such a zone such as Mexico, then it is safe to assume that you must have contracted an infection which must not necessarily be parasitic or protozoal in origin but they are numerous other microbes that could cause same symptoms and can not be seen in some stool tests unless of course specific tests for each suspected microbe is done and for that, a laboratory equipped for that should be considered.
Generally even without using the laboratory I usually effective treat such conditions with antibiotics such as metronidazole, ciprofloxacine/norfloxacin, cotrimoxazole/bactrim etc (you will likely require a prescription for that) then you need to avoid certain food regimens that could promote bacteria growth such as sugar-rich meals and fatty meals. Drink much fluids (especially water) and avoid beer/alcohol until your symptoms have cleared off.
Other microbes that could cause these kinds of symptoms are fungi, E. coli, viruses etc.

Hope this is useful enough information and please feel free to write back if you have any follow-up queries.

Dr. Nsah