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How Long Should Antibiotics Be Taken For Diverticulitis?
Brief Answer:
Clinical abatement of symptoms and signs/ CT scan...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
To recapitulate from whatever you have posted: Male/63 - diverticulitis - taking antibiotics - Previous type II diabetes and hypertension - taking Keflex starting today - klonopin (clonazepam), Zoloft (sertraline), Trazodone ( tetracyclic antidepressant) - quit taking Diovan (valsartan) and Janumet (sitagliptin and metformin) - wheezing under control - took 6 pills of Cipro, got neuropathy, diarrhea - think it gave you colitis - you have had this for 45 days....wants to know when to stop taking antibiotic for diverticulitis and can one test the blood for infection - had tiny pain this morning ...
To answer your specific queries:
Blood can be tested by two mean; raised WBC indicate infection but are raised in acute cases usually and settle with time. Secondly by blood culture and sensitivity- this may or may not be positive as you are already under antibiotic cover which does not allow proper development of bacterial colonies.
Your another question is about when to stop taking antibiotics for diverticulitis: This is decided by the clinical improvement meaning abatement of pain and tenderness and all other symptoms, the patient starts feeling hungry and better, no fever or any of the abdominal symptoms at all. CT scan is again helpful here as it can show the condition of inflammation.
This is how it is decided whether the antibiotics can be stopped or not.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Clinical abatement of symptoms and signs/ CT scan...
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
To recapitulate from whatever you have posted: Male/63 - diverticulitis - taking antibiotics - Previous type II diabetes and hypertension - taking Keflex starting today - klonopin (clonazepam), Zoloft (sertraline), Trazodone ( tetracyclic antidepressant) - quit taking Diovan (valsartan) and Janumet (sitagliptin and metformin) - wheezing under control - took 6 pills of Cipro, got neuropathy, diarrhea - think it gave you colitis - you have had this for 45 days....wants to know when to stop taking antibiotic for diverticulitis and can one test the blood for infection - had tiny pain this morning ...
To answer your specific queries:
Blood can be tested by two mean; raised WBC indicate infection but are raised in acute cases usually and settle with time. Secondly by blood culture and sensitivity- this may or may not be positive as you are already under antibiotic cover which does not allow proper development of bacterial colonies.
Your another question is about when to stop taking antibiotics for diverticulitis: This is decided by the clinical improvement meaning abatement of pain and tenderness and all other symptoms, the patient starts feeling hungry and better, no fever or any of the abdominal symptoms at all. CT scan is again helpful here as it can show the condition of inflammation.
This is how it is decided whether the antibiotics can be stopped or not.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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