Introduction
Diarrhea refers to an irregularity of the bowel movement, in which above all the fluid content of the bowel movement is significantly increased. This leads to fluid bowel movements, which can also occur in frequent frequency (at least three times a day). In addition, the total amount of bowel movement and its weight is often increased.
If there is also an increased body temperature of at least 38.5°C, one speaks of fever. Between 37.5°C and 38.5°C, on the other hand, there is a subfebrile temperature, i.e. below the fever. If the two symptoms occur in combination, one speaks of diarrhea and fever. The most common causes are inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
The causes
The causes of diarrhea and fever are usually different triggers for gastroenteritis – an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. What exactly underlies the disease is not always directly recognizable for the development and connection of the symptoms. However, the inflammation in the intestinal area causes more fluid to remain in the bowel, which leads to diarrhea.
If the inflammation is so severe that the entire immune system of the body fights the infection, this can lead to an increased body temperature and thus to fever. Typical triggers for such gastroenteritis are bacteria and viruses. Depending on age, the most common viruses are mainly rota and noroviruses.
Different germs play a role in bacterial diarrhoea. Hundreds of different bacteria are naturally present in the digestive tract. In a healthy state there is a balance of the different species.
However, if there is an imbalance in the bacterial colonization of the intestine, this can also cause diarrhea and fever. A typical example of this is the infection with clostridia, often triggered by antibiotic therapy. Other bacteria such as Campylobacter, Shigella, Yirsenia and Vibrio cholerae can also be the cause of diarrhoea and fever.
Occasionally the symptoms also occur in combination, for example if spoiled food has been consumed with salmonella. Another cause of diarrhea and fever can be chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In some cases, diarrhea and fever can also be caused by a localized inflammation of the appendix, for example. These articles may also be of interest to you:
- Norovirus – How dangerous is it?
- The chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
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