rectal bleeding

[dragon1952]

This past weekend I ate some mussels.  That night I started having diarrhea and nausea which continued into the next day. I'm assuming I have food poisoning because other people who ate the same mussels also were sick.  That morning and ever since when I go to the bathroom the only thing that comes out is blood.  When I need to go it feels like gas pains and when I do only blood comes out not alot just a little and then and I don't have any pain in my intestines until it builds up again. Have not had much to eat in past 24 hours.  Don't know if it is hemmorroids or something else since I have never had this problem before.  I am afraid to take anything.  Do not want to go to the doctor if nothing serious.  What should I do?  Thought maybe a warm bath would help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Blood can be caused by an infectious diarrhea.  Hemorrhoids certainly are possible.  

In any case, I would be seen by your physician.  If the infection has been appropriately treated (i.e. stool cultures and/or antibiotics), and the bleeding continues, a sigmoidoscopy should be considered for further evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

find out where the mussels come from??
If the water is not clean,there could be bacteria in those mussels.

[wendyO]

I recently did a lot of research at school on food poisoning.
You definitly have the symptoms of food poisoning. Sometimes food poisoning turns out to be no big deal, BUT, it sometimes can lead to death. GO TO A DOCTOR!!!