Had Laparoscopic Surgery Done. Took Antibiotic. Feeling Fatigue And Exhausted. Sign Of An Infection?

Posted on Tue, 12 Feb 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 Answered on

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, I just had laparoscopic surgery. The wound in my belly button became infected and I was treated with antibiotics (this was on Friday and it is now Tuesday). Since Sunday I have been suffering from extreme fatigue - unable to get out of bed and just utterly exhausted. I cannot remember ever feeling this tired. I have not had a fever, however, I have had intermittent chills. Could this be a result of the infection? Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (38 minutes later)

Hello
Thanks for your query.
Any kind of Infection can lead to extreme tiredness and malaise.
Also, surgery itself is a kind of trauma that could cause this,
Certain antibiotics have side effects that result in the symptoms you describe.
If you were on thyroid medication, this could be a cause.
Please take lots of rest, and plenty of fluids,
If you do not feel better within a day, consult your operating doctor to rule out any persistent infection / any other ongoing pathology.
Try taking vitamin C supplements which would aid wound healing, and make you feel better in general.
Please take care and feel free to ask for further clarifications.

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