How Are Severe Diarrhea And Severe Exhaustion Treated In An Elderly Lady?

Posted on Fri, 8 Jan 2021

Question: Hello, I have a question about my 76 year old mother. On April 6 she began having severe diarrhea and severe exhaustion. After a week of having the symptoms she saw her doctor who said it was viral. After two weeks of continuing to have the symptoms she returned to the doctor. She provided them a sample and three weeks after the symptoms started, it was determined that she had a Campylobacter jejuni infection. She was given an antibiotic (I am not sure which one) to take for three days. The diarrhea stopped after taking the antibiotic. However, she continued to feel tired although not as severely as the first week. Our public health department had contacted her and said she was highly contagious. She was told not to go anywhere, not to handle any food preparation and to clean the house with bleach for a couple of weeks. Luckily my 80 year old father did not become ill.

It has been almost 8 weeks since she became ill. The main concern she has is that she continues to feel fatigued. She has more energy than a few weeks ago but is not back to her normal level of energy. She is wondering why she continues to feel so fatigued and how long she could expect this to last. Her bowel movements have returned to normal and she is eating her usual diet.

Also, since she was told she was highly contagious during the infection, she stayed away from myself and my children. We will be seeing her for the first time since the beginning of April. She would just like to know if that is safe and if she could possibly still be contagious?
Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
she needs vitamin & mineral replacement. visit her with preventive care

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query. I understand your concern
The contagious stage for Compylobactor jejuni last till the person is suffering with symptoms like fever, loose motions .So your mother need not be very scared of being carrier of the infection....after presence of the bacteria is proved after stool culture .
Till stool culture is clear she should avoid handling food material / preparing or serving it without due care. Prevention consists of -
-complete disinfection / prevention of food ( non vegetarian, vegetarian)during food chain right from farms or slaughtering houses. So it is necessary to purchase from an authentic stores & brands.
_ avoiding cooking or serving by a person who is suffering / is proven to be carrier of the bacteria, Personal hygiene of the cook ( including through washing of hands after toilet ), wearing sterilized gloves while handling food ).
- Through cooking of food kills the bacteria.
- Avoid use of contaminated ice or frozen food
So I feel she should be visited safely after a complete cure, a good personal care & prevention of reinfection from food chain
* The long standing weakness she has could be due to-
-Possible electrolyte imbalance due to water & infection- to be corrected specifically by a consultation of a Gastroenterologist.( with culture of stool if needful/ serum electrolyte estimation ) She can take plenty of boiled water with sugar & a pinch of salt till then.
- B complex depletion due to infection & following antibiotic course. .. B complex replacement / addition of Lacto bacillus preparation to her medication would solve this.
I feel that answers your query.Any follow up query is welcome.
Thank you.

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

Follow up: Dr. Vasudha (8 hours later)

Thank you very much for your detailed response.

Her doctor has done very little to follow up with her. She has not been retested or sent for an appointment with a gastroenterologist. I will have her make another appointment with her doctor.

I will also tell her about replacing the vitamins and electrolytes she has lost.

We are supposed to be seeing her in 2 days to attend my daughter's dance recital. We will not be eating any food with her. We will just be watching the show with her. Would it be pretty safe for us to see her in that setting? She said she washes her hands thoroughly after using the washroom. We won't be having much physical contact with her.

Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Vasudha (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it would be alright.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Thanks for the followup response.
Yes,I feel it would be alright to enjoy the programme with your mother &give her few moments of XXXXXXX
The precautions you have stated are perfectly alright.... you can carry food & serving utensil with disposable plates,water &glasses with you. Serve the food yourself. This would prevent possible infection &would please her too.
wishing you all a nice time with your mother.
Please get her tested from the doctor ( with stool examination ..culture...if needful .) to confirm irradication of infection &carrier stage.
Any more information you need.. I would be happy to help.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana