Suggest Treatment For Persistent Diarrhea And Vomiting

Posted on Tue, 21 Jun 2016

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

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 Answered on

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello, my 7 year old son has had dirreah and vomiting for the past 3 weeks. He was admitted to the hospital three days ago and released the next. We had to take him back to the ER last night and we were admitted again and are still here. They have ran stool samples and nothing came back, cat scan showed inflammation and fluid in the colon, but nothing else. And last night his white blood cell count was 23,000. They don't know what's going on and he continues to be ill. They are running IV fluids and electrolytes and giving oral Prevacid and something to coat the stomach. I want some answers! Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

I presume this is the first time he is having persistent diarrhea.
His CAT scan is showing inflamed colon and his white cell count is very high.
These indicate he is probably having acute infectious colitis.
Stool culture test may be done for confirmation.
He may require a course of antibiotics.
If symptoms persists, a colonoscopy with biopsy may be done to know the cause of inflamed colon causing diarrhea.

Regards,
Dr.R.K

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)

They have done two stool cultures and nothing! He is vomiting too! I'm so confused and irritated!

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Colonoscopy and biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
As I said earlier, if stool cultures are negative and diarrhea persists, a colonoscopy with biopsy may be done to find the cause.

You can discuss with his doctor about this option.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (21 minutes later)

Would stool cultures show colitis?

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer given below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
There are many difference causes of colitis that includes infection, inflammatory bowel disease etc.
If it is due to infection it will show up in stool culture.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee