In this article, we will discuss the Clinical Features and Investigations of Acute Diarrhea. So, let’s get started.
Signs and Symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Watery stools
- Blood in the stool (hematochezia)
- Excessive thirst
Signs of dehydration may be present
- Patient irritable
- Weak pulse, low BP
- Depressed fontanelle
- Dry pinched facies
- Sunken eyeballs
- Dryness of mouth, tongue, mucous membrane
- Loss of skin turgor
Investigations
- Stool examination for leukocytes, ova, parasites, blood and pus cells, etc
- Stool for fecal lactiferin: It is a sensitive marker of fecal leukocytes, indicates inflammatory diarrhea. It is estimated by ELISA and latex agglutination test
- Stool immunoassay for bacterial toxins (c.difficile), viral antigen (rota virus) and protozoal antigens (Giardia, E.histolytica)
- Stool culture for isolation of the infective agent, i.e. enterohemorrhagic and other types of E.coli, Vibrio species and Versinia
- Complete hemogram
- Blood biochemistry, e.g. urea, creatinine, electrolytes
- Blood culture
- Sigmoidoscopy with biopsies and upper endoscopy with duodenal aspirates and biopsy if indicated
- Abdominal X-ray or CT scan
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