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Is It Normal To Have Shortness Of Breath Post Treatment For Food Poisoning?
Question: Have been traveling and had food poisoning from fish in Thailand and now recovered 6days on (4days only fluids) but have shortness in breathe. Is this normal? Have already had antibiotic shot (within 5hrs of initial)and course of penicillin over 6days as well as medication for fever and diarrhoea. All symptoms gone except mild diarrhoea and shortness of breathe and weak. I was very fit before. Glands are not up.
Brief Answer:
not normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
shortness of breath is not normal for a 36 year old otherwise healthy individual. Shortness of breath may denote various serious complications like dehydration, acidosis, etc. It's a good sign that your diarrhea is getting better. Weakness should be expected but shortness of breath requires investigation.
In cases like yours a clinical examination is very important. Assessment of your blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, etc and lab tests like urea, creatinine, electrolytes, complete blood count, etc are essential information. Checking your SpO2 is also very important. Depending on the clinical examination data, arterial blood gases might be needed.
Besides that, a stool culture if not already done, should be requested to identify the cause. Penicillin for the diarrhea is not a great choice. Antidiarrheal medication that slow down the bowel movements are not indicated either in case there is fever or blood in the stool.
Drinking enough fluids is very important. Your urine output can be useful as a guide. Dark yellow low volume urine production means dehydration. Plenty of urine light yellow or watery means adequate hydration.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
not normal
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
shortness of breath is not normal for a 36 year old otherwise healthy individual. Shortness of breath may denote various serious complications like dehydration, acidosis, etc. It's a good sign that your diarrhea is getting better. Weakness should be expected but shortness of breath requires investigation.
In cases like yours a clinical examination is very important. Assessment of your blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, etc and lab tests like urea, creatinine, electrolytes, complete blood count, etc are essential information. Checking your SpO2 is also very important. Depending on the clinical examination data, arterial blood gases might be needed.
Besides that, a stool culture if not already done, should be requested to identify the cause. Penicillin for the diarrhea is not a great choice. Antidiarrheal medication that slow down the bowel movements are not indicated either in case there is fever or blood in the stool.
Drinking enough fluids is very important. Your urine output can be useful as a guide. Dark yellow low volume urine production means dehydration. Plenty of urine light yellow or watery means adequate hydration.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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