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Viral or bacterial infections of intestines

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Could this be a virus or something more serious?


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replied February 16th, 2009
Digestive and Bowel Disorders Answer A5781


Current medical status: I have had diarrhea for 5 days now and my stomach burns really bad at the top middle portion. It helps when I sit curled up but when I stand up it hurts again
Current medical treatment: I have taken zantac, immodium and nothing is working...the immodium did stop the diarhhea today but my stomach is still burning.



Given the data you reported, you might be experiencing an infection of the intestines. Whether the infection is caused by bacteria or a virus can not be told without further examination (stool culture). The viral infections usually do not last that long. Assuming that the infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor might recommend antibiotics based on the data from the stool culture. The pain eases when you bend because the intestines do not stretch that much in that position. The stretching is due to the gasses produced from the bacteria.


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