Sick In Stomach, Tiredness, Diarrhoea, White Stool, Sore And Stiff Muscles. Is It Flu?

Posted on Fri, 3 May 2013

Question: Daughter who is 19 in college and a college swimmer. Has been pretty healthy throughout year. But developed flu like symptoms the past week. Sick to stomach, no voimting-but felt like it after eating, had diaerrha for one day, tired, tried to swim yesterday but muscles were sore and stiff. Now has informed us that her stool was white for 2 days, than the diaerrha, than white again the past day. Is this just the flu bug passing through her?

Answered by Dr. Mayank Bhargava (39 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXX
Welcome to XXXXXXX forum.

With the available described details, there could also be possibility of partially controlled acute viral gastroenteritis.
Presence of diarrhea, muscle ache suggests the diagnosis.
Myalgia (muscle ache ) is an integral prodromal symptom of viral infection.

You should consult with XXXXXXX medicine specialist/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up.
She should also go for complete blood count, ultrasound imaging, and serum electrolytes.
She should take complete antibiotic therapy, antispasmodics, probiotics, antipyretics, if needed.
She should also take analgesics along with muscle relaxants.
She should maintain her hydration status by taking potassium XXXXXXX liquids.
Frequent loose diarrhea may cause loss of potassium with weakness and fatigue feeling.
Take soft diet along with yogurt and banana.
Avoid milk and all milk related products.

Hope that helps.
Let me know your other query.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava

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

Follow up: Dr. Mayank Bhargava (24 minutes later)

So this would cause the white stool by reading what you have wrote? I did tell he to pick up the fluids yesterday and had her on bananas while her stomach was upset, after learing that her stool was white 4-5 days ago and again yesterday. How long do you think she can expect before this clears up 2-10 days? There has been a flu going around campus that has been lasting for awhile.

Answered by Dr. Mayank Bhargava (3 minutes later)

Hi,
Frequent passage of stools may cause lack of urobilinogen and excess of water may lead to light colored stools.
This may last to 3-4 days till full recovery.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava

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