Hi,I am Dr. Shanthi.E (General & Family Physician). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
I ve had diarrhea for almost 3 weeks, for the past 3 days its been very watery, I do have stomach pain usually before a bowel movement, which is explosive. I turned in specimens to my doctor this morning and hope to know something by Friday (usually I have a bowel movement soon after I eat, even bland food). Right now my biggest question is that my very good friend is in the hospital with double pneumonia and other breathing difficulties, should I only visit her by phone until she get better or until I get on some sort of medicine to take care of this problem.
I appreciate the concern that you have for your friend, and I do agree that you may have something that could be infectious. Having said that, the biggest culprit for the transmission of infections are your hands. It is not like a flu, which can be spread from coughing and sneezing out a mist of droplets. Digestive tract infections are usually spread through direct contact, via hands that are not washed properly after going to the toilet, and hands that are not washed before touching things that can go into the mouth.
So I think that it would be safe for you to visit her, provided that you soap and wash your hands well up to the forearms just before going to see her. If she is allowed to eat, make sure you don't share food or drinks with her. Note that you should wash your hands after you leave as well, to avoid carrying nasty hospital-based infections out to your community.
Hope this helps, and all the best to you and your friend.
Regards, Dr. Teh
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What Causes Diarrhea Along With Stomach Ache?
Hi there, I appreciate the concern that you have for your friend, and I do agree that you may have something that could be infectious. Having said that, the biggest culprit for the transmission of infections are your hands. It is not like a flu, which can be spread from coughing and sneezing out a mist of droplets. Digestive tract infections are usually spread through direct contact, via hands that are not washed properly after going to the toilet, and hands that are not washed before touching things that can go into the mouth. So I think that it would be safe for you to visit her, provided that you soap and wash your hands well up to the forearms just before going to see her. If she is allowed to eat, make sure you don t share food or drinks with her. Note that you should wash your hands after you leave as well, to avoid carrying nasty hospital-based infections out to your community. Hope this helps, and all the best to you and your friend. Regards, Dr. Teh