Infant Diagnosed With Salmonella After Black Runny Stools, Cranky Behavior. Antibiotics Did Not Help. Sign Of Spreading Infection?

Posted on Fri, 6 Apr 2012

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

Fri, 6 Apr 2012 Answered on

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My 10 month old has been diagnosed with Salmonella after 3+ weeks of a cranky, miserable bubba with runny stools varying in color from black, XXXXXXX to bright yellow and blood flecked.
He has been on antibidocs for a few days and the stools settled but now they have come back XXXXXXX and runny again - Could this be a sign the infection may of spread?

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (17 minutes later)

Hi,

Thanks for the query.

Recurrence of loose stools is concerning. You need to take him to a pediatrician and ensure Intravenous antibiotics effective against salmonella such as combination of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole is administered.

If the frequency of stools is significant while intake is inadequate then intravenous fluids may be required.

It is not ideal to wait for such a long time as it will cause damage to the child's health. The chance of recrudescence of infection is likely.

Hope this answers your query. Let me know if you have any other concerns.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad