What is fever and diarrhea?
If diarrhea and fever occur together, it is usually an infectious disease. Infectious diarrhoea can manifest itself in watery, mushy or bloody stools and is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. Infectious diseases with diarrhea and fever are often self-limiting.
This means that they often stop on their own after a few days without special treatment. In older and immunocompromised people, such a disease can nevertheless last longer and be complicated. Often bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella or Clostridium difficile are responsible. Other possible causes of febrile diarrhoea are viruses, for example rotaviruses or noroviruses, and parasites such as amoebae and lamblia.
Therapy
Diarrhea-inhibiting drugs are usually not necessary. Often a lot of fluid is sufficient and wait until the symptoms subside on their own. Medicinal charcoal and herbal remedies, such as extracts from the Uzara root or pectin from the apple, can alleviate the symptoms.
Medications such as loperamide inhibit strong bowel movements and should not be taken for more than two days and only under medical supervision. Occasionally probiotics are taken for diarrhea. Probiotics such as probiotic yogurt have a positive effect on the intestinal flora.
Often household remedies such as plenty of fluids, tea and the right food are sufficient. Slight fever in adults can also often be treated with household remedies. Infants and toddlers are at risk of suffering febrile convulsions.
Therefore, babies and children should always be examined by a doctor if they have a fever. The classic antipyretic drugs are paracetamol, ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin®). Acetylsalicylic acid is not suitable for children.
If acute diarrhea occurs, the symptoms often improve on their own after one to three days. To compensate for the loss of fluid and electrolytes caused by the diarrhoea, drinks such as tap water, still mineral water and herbal teas are recommended. Fennel, peppermint, camomile and blueberry tea are excellent household remedies for diarrhea.
Black tea also contains tanning agents that can soothe an irritated intestine. To compensate for water loss, it is particularly important to drink a lot. Carbonated drinks and whole milk should be avoided in case of diarrhoea.
A traditional household remedy is grated apple. The pectin it contains acts as a swelling agent and soothes the intestinal mucosa. You can eat well-tolerated foods such as rusk, crispbread, mashed banana, low-fat meat, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs or porridge.
One should avoid fatty, strongly spiced dishes, sweets and legumes in case of diarrhoea. Besides home remedies against diarrhea, there are tricks to lower the fever naturally. One teaspoon of honey in tea is said to have a positive effect on the immune system.
A proven household remedy for fever is vinegar stockings. To do this, soak stomach wool knee socks in a mixture of 4/5 water and 1/5 apple vinegar. Squeeze the stockings and put them on.
You can wrap your legs in a towel or blanket and wear them for 45 to 60 minutes. The acidity of the cider vinegar promotes the release of heat through the skin. A damp cloth on the forehead helps with fever.
Washings are another popular household remedy for natural fever reduction. To do this, a sponge or cloth is immersed in water that is 5 to 10°C cooler than body temperature. You rub the body with it from top to bottom and from the outside to the inside.
The moistened body parts are then wrapped in towels. After a wash you should take a half hour break before you do another wash. Globules that specifically treat the two symptoms of fever and diarrhea are not available in this form. For watery diarrhea and vomiting, globules with Arsenicum album are said to provide relief. The product can also be used for febrile infections. General measures like plenty of liquid and broth are also recommended in homeopathy.
All articles in this series:
