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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Fever, Poor Appetite, Watery Stools And Headache?

Hello, I had a mild fever last week (it never got over 100) and have had decreased appetite all week. Not solid for BMs. No fever now, but my head feels hot to the touch. Can t seem to eat much aside from very basic stuff like apples and peanut butter and steamed veggies and grilled chicken.
Wed, 5 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello.

Your symptoms are suggestive of an infectious condition.

Since you already have been suffering for over a week, I suggest you get a basic blood test done - the complete blood count. It will show us whether we're looking at a viral or bacterial infection based on the total WBC count. It will also tell us about your hemoglobin levels.

If the WBC count is more than the upper limit, it indicates a bacterial infection and definitely needs a course of antibiotics. If it is less than the lower limit or lower side of normal, it either indicates a viral infection or typhoid. Typhoid too is a bacterial infection and like it needs a course of antibiotics whereas most viral fevers are self- resolving and need only rest and good nutrition for 1-2 weeks for complete recovery.

If your loss of appetite and fever donot improve, I suggest you get these tests done. Apart from this there are other non-infectious conditions like liver, heart and kidney disease - all of which may present slightly similarly. These may also have to be tested eventually.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Dr Geeta
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What Causes Fever, Poor Appetite, Watery Stools And Headache?

Hello. Your symptoms are suggestive of an infectious condition. Since you already have been suffering for over a week, I suggest you get a basic blood test done - the complete blood count. It will show us whether we re looking at a viral or bacterial infection based on the total WBC count. It will also tell us about your hemoglobin levels. If the WBC count is more than the upper limit, it indicates a bacterial infection and definitely needs a course of antibiotics. If it is less than the lower limit or lower side of normal, it either indicates a viral infection or typhoid. Typhoid too is a bacterial infection and like it needs a course of antibiotics whereas most viral fevers are self- resolving and need only rest and good nutrition for 1-2 weeks for complete recovery. If your loss of appetite and fever donot improve, I suggest you get these tests done. Apart from this there are other non-infectious conditions like liver, heart and kidney disease - all of which may present slightly similarly. These may also have to be tested eventually. Hope this helps. Regards, Dr Geeta