What Causes Diarrhea And Headache Followed By Non-blanching Rash On Body?

Posted on Fri, 16 May 2014

Question: Last Friday I woke with diarrhoea headache and a non blanching rash on my chest. Saw a doctor that evening and she told me it was probably a virus. Rash went but still felt generally unwell. Another rash came up Tuesday and I had a lot of aches still with headache etc. Felt particularly run down and saw a doctor last night who done blood work, everything came back clear. Starting to feel better today but have noticed over the time I have been unwell I have started having involuntary body movements. Mainly in my arms and legs, almost like small jerking movements, particularly when I am sitting down or in bed. My question is do you think these movements are just more symptoms of the virus? Or could it be something else? My diet is not great and I don't sleep well sometimes. Please can you give me your opinion on these twitchy jerky involuntary movements. I would say that I notice the occasional movement during the day when I am busy, but in the evening i will get around five or six every ten minutes. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Viral infection, features of HSP and TTP

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
The symptoms of diarrhea and headache followed first by non-blanching rash on body and then neurological symptoms are suggestive of TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) and/or HSP (Henoch schonlein purpura).
These two conditions TTP and HSP are spectrum of one disorder.
They produce symptoms of fever, headache, rash followed by neurological symptoms.
These two disorders follow viral infection.
It is also accompanied kidney involvement in form of hematuria and proteinuria.
You need to consult your doctor for urine examination.
Blood examination reveals microangiopathic hemolytic anemia.

If all these features are present, management will be planned accordingly.

If you have more queries, I will be glad to answer.
Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (52 minutes later)

Thanks for your reply. If these are the causes are they treatable? Would they have shown on blood tests already done? Is it a possible it could be a result of anxiety? Just keep reading on the internet and getting so many different results! If this is a result of a virus does it usually go when the virus does? Thanks again.XXXX

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Condition treatable, diagnosis required first and

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The condition is completely treatable.
Anxiety and stress weaken the immunity of the body.
Weak immune status make the body more prone to infections including viral infections.
The blood picture could be that of hemolysis showing fragmented red blood cells, nucleated red blood cells and polychromatic cells.
You can get urine analysis done and comsult your doctor thereafter.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (2 hours later)

Hi again, I have been looking up the conditions you mentioned and was quite alarmed to read that thrombosis thrombocytopenic purpura can be fatal if it is not treated immediately. Should I be calling an ambulance? Very scared.

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
TTP is one of the possibilities, work up needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
The characteristic clinical features suggest this possibility.
A combination of non-blanching rash, diarrhea, and neurological features can be explained by this disease process.
However, complete work up is required to make a diagnosis.
As I told you in my previous post that this disease process is associated with hematuria and proteinuria i.e. presence of blood and proteins in urine.
You need to get an urine examination for it.
At the same time these syndromes could be unrelated to each other.

Kindly, consult your physician with all reports for further work up.
TTP progress if treatment is not instituted.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (1 hour later)

Thank you for your help. I have had my urine and blood work done and had the all clear. The doctor I saw suggested that the neurological problems may be purely down to anxiety from the virus so hopefully the symptoms will pass soon. Thanks again.XXXX

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Good to hear blood and urine work up normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
It is good to hear that the blood and urine tests are all within normal limits.
This rules out the possibility of any grave disease.

Do consult your treating doctor in case you feel unwell.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T