Nausea, Weakness After Abortion. Blood And Urine Test Said Increase In Salmonella. Medication Harmful?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jun 2012

Question: Hi, I am asking this question on behalf of my wife. She is 34, and recently went through 3-week old abortion process. She had been feeling nausea and weakness since the abortion. After visiting a Doctor (in the country where she lives), they suggested urine and blood tests. I have obtained a copy of the test reports, and I think the significant figure are: Pus cells: 4-6 on Nov 28th (Reduced to 3-4 by Dec 12, after medication), and Red Cells: 3-4 Nov 28 (reduced to 2-3 by Dec 12th after medication). Also, her Widal/MP test results show a significant increase in the amount of Salmonella TH (1:160 on Dec 12th, vs 1:80 on Nov 28th), meaning increased AFTER taking medication. I would appreciate your advise on: Wether is this something to worry about? Did the medication help or got it worst?, and Does it have to do anything with the aburtion process, and do we need steps other than taking the medication prescribed by a reasonable Doctor. Thanks so much.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

Hello

Thanks for the query

I would like to clarify this to you at the outset that pus cells upto 10 in females is considered normal and in men upto 5. So this rules out a fever so the possibility of an infection is almost always ruled out.
In a healthy individual who is not immunodeficient, fever is almost always present when there is an infection

The WIDAL and MP smear are also normal. WIDAL test is considered positive when there are increasing titres and just one single test cannot prove that she does not have Typhoid.
It would be a help to me if you could also send me a scanned copy of her complete blood count if it was done.

The problem that is bothering her is nausea and weakness which could be due to gastritis especially if she was on treatment with antibiotics.

I advice you to XXXXXXX a gastroenterologist for the same for an examination and also to prescribe certain long acting antacids like esomeprazole and also tablets like ondansetron to help her fight nausea.

You good also use some of these tips to help her

1. Follow a regular bland diet
2. Avoid milk and milk products like butter, ghee, cheese
3. Avoid spicy food
4. If she vomits, allow her to settle down first and then start with a liquid diet and then shift to bland solid food

I wish your wife a speedy recovery

If there are no follow up queries kindly accept my answer

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (13 hours later)

Dear Dr. Madhyastha,

Thanks for the comprehensive response. Since the original posting didn't allow for more than 3 attachments, I couldn't attach the blood count. Attached are to additional documents (No. 12, prescription, and No. 203, blood test). Please let me know if there is anything of significance, or if you think that the prescriptions should be changed. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 hours later)

Thanks for reverting

The CBC looks normal. So kindly follow the advice I have given previously.

I donot think she is having any infection typhoid or malaria as she has neither the symptoms nor the sign of it.

I cannot change the prescription of your doctor, and I must admit being a fellow physician i could not understand the handwriting

I wish her good health
If there are no follow up queries, kindly accept my answer
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T