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infection in stomach symptoms
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Digestive Health
Question #13232
46 days ago
82

infection in stomach symptoms - #13232

Saanvi

I am feeling really worried about these crazy symptoms I've been having lately. It started about a week ago when I noticed a weird pain in my stomach, right around the area below my rib cage. I thought maybe I just had something bad to eat, you know? But the pain got worse, and now I’m also feeling nauseous all the time. I’m not sure if this is just a food thing or maybe more serious like an infection in stomach symptoms or something. I’ve tried over-the-counter meds, but they’re not really helping. I keep googling “infection in stomach symptoms” but there’s so much info out there, it’s kinda overwhelming. Also, I did have a little diarrhea, which seemed odd, but I thought maybe that was just related to what I ate, right? Plus, my appetite is totally gone. Like, I can barely eat a piece of toast without feeling queasy. I even had to call in sick to work because I couldn’t handle the discomfort. Could this really be an infection in stomach symptoms? How do I know if I should see a doctor? Any advice on what to do or look out for? I just want to feel normal again!

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Doctors’ responses

The symptoms you’re describing—pain below the rib cage, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite—do align with issues that can stem from some form of gastrointestinal infection. Typically, these can be caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. Viral infections like norovirus often resolve with supportive care, but bacterial infections might require antibiotics. Considering your symptoms are persisting for over a week and not improving with over-the-counter medications, it’s advisable to see a doctor. It’s important to rule out a more serious condition like a peptic ulcer or gastritis, which might need specific treatment. In the meantime, stay hydrated; dehydration is common with diarrhea and vomiting, so try electrolyte solutions or rehydration drinks. Avoid foods that might irritate your stomach further, like acidic, spicy, or fatty foods. Stick with bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet), if you can tolerate them.

You should see a doctor promptly due to the duration and severity of your symptoms. They may recommend tests like a stool sample, blood tests, or even imaging if necessary. Watch for red flags like severe abdominal pain, high fever, blood in your stool, or vomiting that doesn’t stop, as these require urgent medical attention. Remember, while online resources can give an idea of what’s going on, they shouldn’t replace professional medical evaluation, especially when symptoms don’t improve or escalate. This will help to confirm if it’s an infection or something else entirely and to start you on appropriate treatment so you can get back to feeling normal.

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