Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Ear Infection And Pneumonia
Question: I had pneumonia in left lung, double ear infection and influenza. Took Tamil flu, ear drops , z pack. Five days later I have yellow diahrea for 12 hours every half to one hour. Stomach bug? I take probiotics the whole time. Raw juices to blame? I have no fever.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antibiotics can cause diarrhea by killing off healthy bacteria in the intestines. The timing of the diarrhea (5 days after Z pack) makes me think this is the most likely cause, even if you were taking probiotics.
At this point I recommend avoiding raw juices until the diarrhea settles down. Increase the dose of probiotics and make sure the one you are using contains both lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.
To help slow down bowel transit time, eat rice that has been cooked for twice as long, using much more water than usual. Foods that are more easily tolerable are apple sauce, toast, bananas. Coconut water is a good rehydration fluid when people have diarrhea because it has a good balance of electrolytes.
Avoid any raw foods at this time. Cook veggies very well. No raw fruits.
If the diarrhea continues without any improvement in spite of the above recommendations, then do go in to your doctor as you may need to be checked for c. dificile bowel infection which can happen after antibiotics, but at this point, the most likely cause is just a bowel flora upset.
There is always the chance it could be a "stomach bug" that might be going around, but usually there is nausea or vomiting too (not always, but usually).
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Antibiotics can cause diarrhea by killing off healthy bacteria in the intestines. The timing of the diarrhea (5 days after Z pack) makes me think this is the most likely cause, even if you were taking probiotics.
At this point I recommend avoiding raw juices until the diarrhea settles down. Increase the dose of probiotics and make sure the one you are using contains both lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus.
To help slow down bowel transit time, eat rice that has been cooked for twice as long, using much more water than usual. Foods that are more easily tolerable are apple sauce, toast, bananas. Coconut water is a good rehydration fluid when people have diarrhea because it has a good balance of electrolytes.
Avoid any raw foods at this time. Cook veggies very well. No raw fruits.
If the diarrhea continues without any improvement in spite of the above recommendations, then do go in to your doctor as you may need to be checked for c. dificile bowel infection which can happen after antibiotics, but at this point, the most likely cause is just a bowel flora upset.
There is always the chance it could be a "stomach bug" that might be going around, but usually there is nausea or vomiting too (not always, but usually).
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
