What Causes Blood In Stool?

Posted on Mon, 10 Apr 2017

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

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 Answered on

Thu, 4 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My 28 yr old son has blood in his stool confirmed by a walk in dr. He found blood on toilet paper and went o walk in same day. No hemmeroids. Also past month has felt moisture in anal area, not blood just moisture. Also a little bloated. Help!!

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get his stool tested. May require treatment with antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query. I would insist you to get his stool evaluated. If the pus cell count is raised it would call for treatment with antibiotics. You can give ORS (oral rehydration solution) to make up for the lost fluids and salts.

I would wait for you to get the test done and to upload the report.

Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (5 hours later)

Does all of these symptoms coupled with the blood in stool add up to be an infection? I hope you are correct...my concern is a more serious diagnosis...

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Infection is likely

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. If the blood is not due to hemorrhoids, and if constipation is not the offending cause, it is more likely to be due to dysentery which occurs due to infection by some serious pathogens and needs to be treated with antibiotics. A stool test would help in confirmation of the same.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (8 hours later)

But an infection is treatable and not life threatening as long as it is treated and you respond to it. Is that right? What kind if infection and how would one eat this

Get this.. notveatbthis

My son just came back from gastro dr. He us having sonogram Wednesday and having blood work done as we speak. The dr. Seemed to feel that it was either food allergies ( his father had celiacs) or his gall bladder. Your thoughts??

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Diagnosis of the underlying cause needs to be done

Detailed Answer:
Yes, dysentery is treatable and treatment with antibiotics should help in resolution of the issue. However, proper replenishment of the lost water and salts is very important and unless adequate ORS (oral rehydration solution) is given, it may lead to dehydration which can be a life threatening situation.

Thanks for the update. Food allergies can be a possible cause especially when his father had celiac disease. Gall bladder is an unlikely cause.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy