If a pet has diarrhea, patients should consider having a veterinarian check the pet's stool for cryptosporidium, salmonella and campylobacter. Pets should be fed only store-bought canned or dried pet food, and exotic pets should be avoided. Nutrition An otherwise unexplained weight loss of greater than 10 lb in four months in a person who is having anorexia may be an indication to consider megastrol. Anorexia secondary to nausea may be an indication to treat the patient with dronabinol. Salmonella, transmitted through raw eggs and chicken, is killed in cooking.
Raw fish can contain gastrointestinal pathogens.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that persons with AIDS consider boiling their water for one minute before consuming it. Swimming in lakes or rivers may lead to accidental swallowing of contaminated water. A check with your local health department can help you make these decisions. As with all patients, those misusing or abusing alcohol should be considered for dependency referral. Travel plans Travel histories may point the physician to endemic diseases.