The diagnosis

The diagnosis of diarrheal disease with fever can in many cases be made on the basis of the medical history. If symptoms such as an increased stool frequency and body temperatures above 38.5°C occur, this is referred to as diarrhea with fever. The important further diagnostic steps initially include a determination of the volume status.

This involves determining whether affected persons are taking in sufficient fluid, as they lose a particularly large amount of fluid through liquid bowel movements and sweating with fever. In addition, an examination of the triggering pathogen may be necessary. In mild cases, which heal after a few days, this examination does not need to be performed. However, in persistent cases, a pathogen diagnosis should be carried out in order to be able to initiate a targeted therapy. For this purpose, a stool sample is usually obtained, which is then examined in the laboratory for bacteria and, if necessary, also for viruses.

The treatment

The treatment of diarrhea and fever is primarily aimed at keeping the fluid balance in balance. Through diarrhea and sweating with fever, affected persons lose several liters of fluid. Therefore, the therapy initially consists of drinking a sufficient amount of fluid.

Tea and water are particularly suitable, but liquid foods such as soup are also a possible alternative. In addition, the body loses important minerals and electrolytes (blood salts) through diarrhoea. These can be reabsorbed, for example, by sweetened tea or eating salt sticks.

In severe cases, liquid and the right amount of electrolytes can also be obtained by an infusion into the vein. If the diarrhoea is particularly persistent and caused by bacteria, antibiotic therapy may be useful. In order to reduce symptoms such as fever and abdominal pain, fever-reducing medication that is both pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory can be taken.

These include Ibuprofen®, Paracetamol® and Novalgin®. If the triggering inflammation is present in a certain section of the intestine, local therapy may be appropriate. For example, appendicitis often requires surgery. Usually three small abdominal incisions (one to three centimeters) are made, through which instruments can be inserted into the abdominal cavity and the appendix can then be removed. In the case of autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, drugs are used that reduce the body’s own immune defenses.