Crohn's disease and infection: what to know

Crohn's disease involves inflammation in the digestive tract, while infections may irritate the bowel and produce diarrhoea, cramps, vomiting or fever. The symptoms can overlap. A sudden change after travel, contact with illness, unsafe food or antibiotics may raise a separate infection concern, but only an assessment can clarify the cause.

A person receiving immune-affecting treatment may need tailored advice when unwell. Read about Crohn's Disease, Abdominal Pain and Diarrhoea for related information.

Contact a GP Consultation service promptly if diarrhoea is new, unusually frequent, accompanied by fever, or different from your established pattern. Drink small amounts regularly if able, and note stool changes, pain, temperature, recent antibiotics, travel and sick contacts.

A clinician may consider stool testing, examination or a Blood Test. Do not start leftover antibiotics, anti-diarrhoeal medicines or change Crohn's treatment without advice, because the appropriate choice depends on the suspected cause.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration. Fever with rapid deterioration also needs prompt assessment.

Ask whether symptoms could be infection, inflammation or both; whether testing is needed; what medicines to pause or continue; and how to replace fluids safely.