[38F] Experiencing severe sharp abdominal pain with nausea and slight fever

What might be happening

Based on the information you provided, possible causes for your symptoms include:

• Gastroenteritis: This is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S. It causes diarrhea and vomiting and often comes on very suddenly. Fever, and abdominal pain are also common symptoms.

  • Treatment typically involves rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies. Antibiotics may be necessary if a bacterial cause is identified.

• Gastritis: This is an inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or infection with bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to decrease stomach acid, which may help relieve symptoms and promote healing.

• Peptic Ulcer: These are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine or esophagus. The most common symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain.

  • Treatment typically involves medications to decrease stomach acid, which may help relieve symptoms and promote healing.

• Gallstones: These are hard deposits in your gallbladder, a small organ under the liver. They can cause sharp, intense pain in the upper-right part of the abdomen.

  • Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the gallbladder.

• Pancreatitis: This is inflammation of the pancreas. It can cause severe abdominal pain and is often associated with nausea and vomiting.

  • Treatment typically involves hospitalization for intravenous fluids, pain control, and sometimes surgery.

What you can do

Given the severity of your pain, you should seek immediate medical attention. The cause of your symptoms could be a serious condition that requires urgent treatment.

What you should look out for

Reasons to seek immediate medical attention:

• If your pain becomes unbearable
• If you have a high fever (over 101°F)
• If you start vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
• If your abdomen becomes distended or hard
• If you have difficulty breathing

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I am not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.