Why am I having stomach pain and diarrhea after traveling?

Question

Hello doctor,

For a few days, I have been experiencing a strong stomachache. The pain was mild, but now it kind of hurts even when I am moving. It is not super painful, but I am concerned because I also started having diarrhea since yesterday evening.

The whole stomach aches when I cough. I do not have much cough, but since I came back from a trip a few weeks ago, I started coughing in the evening. It is not a frequent cough, but let us say every 10 to 15 minutes. At the moment, I do not feel an appetite, and I have a headache as well.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Most likely, you have traveler's diarrhea caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli.

I suggest the following:

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet twice for one week (after consulting your treating physician).
Drink plenty of fluids.
Imodium 4 mg after each diarrhea (not to exceed three tablets).

Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and start taking the medicines with their consent.

Regarding coughing, is there any phlegm? If yes, color?

We should exclude TB (tuberculosis) as the country you visited is endemic to TB.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.