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What Causes Pus And Blood In Stool While On Cipro For UTI?
Question: I am currently taking Cipro for a UTI, but now am experiencing pus and blood in my stool. In fact, many of my bowel movements are more pus than anything else. My lower bowels feel as if I'm irritated inside, and feel "on fire" with each bowel movement.
Brief Answer:
could be a side effect of ciprofloxacin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic which may cause antibiotic-related diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Bloody diarrheas particularly if accompanied by high fever can be severe and require treatment when diagnosed.
Microscopy may help to detect inflammatory disorder in the stool and Clostridium difficile toxin.
If verified the treatment is metronidazole for the milder cases and vancomycin for the rest.
Please make sure that the blood is not originating from hemorrhoids (which is a completely different scenario).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
could be a side effect of ciprofloxacin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic which may cause antibiotic-related diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Bloody diarrheas particularly if accompanied by high fever can be severe and require treatment when diagnosed.
Microscopy may help to detect inflammatory disorder in the stool and Clostridium difficile toxin.
If verified the treatment is metronidazole for the milder cases and vancomycin for the rest.
Please make sure that the blood is not originating from hemorrhoids (which is a completely different scenario).
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
The pus in the stool started before I had even gotten my prescription for the Cipro filled. I had a hard time getting my physician's office to return a call to me regarding lab results of a urine test, so the UTI went untreated for six days, and before I could get a Rx for that, I started having the pus discharge with bowel movements. Are the two problems related? I'm not convinced the Cipro for the UTI is the cause of the pus in my stool. I just feel as if something else is going on. A few years back I got salmonella poisoning. At the time I didn't know that was what I had, but found out later. One of the symptoms I experienced then was blood and pus in my stool. Could this be that? I've not experience any vomiting, and am not running a fever. Just a general discomfort in my lower abdomen, and a burning sensation in my gut after passing stool with mucus, pus, and blood.
Back in December I had to take a round of antibiotics for cellulitis in one of my legs. The antibiotic caused me to have severe diarrhea, which I've only recovered from about 3 weeks ago. Is it possible that I have colitis that was not completely resolved from that episode that now has "resurfaced" because of the bladder infection?
Back in December I had to take a round of antibiotics for cellulitis in one of my legs. The antibiotic caused me to have severe diarrhea, which I've only recovered from about 3 weeks ago. Is it possible that I have colitis that was not completely resolved from that episode that now has "resurfaced" because of the bladder infection?
Brief Answer:
could be a recurrence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info!
Since the problem started before you took ciprofloxacin, it's obvious that this problem is unrelated. My answer was based on the assumption that the pus and blood followed treatment.
Pus and blood in the stool signify inflammation. The causes are various. If you don't have any fever you should start with a stool culture and microscopic examination and perhaps also do a colonoscopy to identify lesions which may be diagnostic. Potential findings may include tumors, polyps, findings of inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis, etc.
Since you've got (I suppose) pseudomembranous colitis (this is the most severe form of antibiotic related diarrhea), there is a chance of recurrence. Recurrences occur in a significant number of patients. Colitis usually recurs within the first month after the end of treatment but it could recur later. Checking for the toxin might help. Colonoscopy could also be diagnostic.
Kind Regards!
could be a recurrence
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info!
Since the problem started before you took ciprofloxacin, it's obvious that this problem is unrelated. My answer was based on the assumption that the pus and blood followed treatment.
Pus and blood in the stool signify inflammation. The causes are various. If you don't have any fever you should start with a stool culture and microscopic examination and perhaps also do a colonoscopy to identify lesions which may be diagnostic. Potential findings may include tumors, polyps, findings of inflammatory bowel disease, ischemic colitis, etc.
Since you've got (I suppose) pseudomembranous colitis (this is the most severe form of antibiotic related diarrhea), there is a chance of recurrence. Recurrences occur in a significant number of patients. Colitis usually recurs within the first month after the end of treatment but it could recur later. Checking for the toxin might help. Colonoscopy could also be diagnostic.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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