Is Pooping Good for Fever? How Bowel Movements Affect Feeling Sick

It’s happened to all of us – you wake up feeling achy and chilled, realizing you’re coming down with a fever. You bundle up under the covers, down some Tylenol, and wait for it to pass. But soon that familiar rumbling hits your stomach. Is pooping really necessary when you already feel awful? Could it actually be helpful for breaking your fever?

Let’s face it – dragging yourself to the bathroom is the last thing you want to do when fever and chills have you couch-bound. You might even try delaying going number two, hoping your fever passes first. But is pooping good for fever or should you wait it out?

According to doctors, it’s absolutely fine – and even beneficial – to poop when you have a fever. Moving your bowels eliminates bacteria and viruses that may be causing your illness in the first place. While diarrhea automatically empties your system, continuing normal pooping habits while feverish can assist your body’s natural detoxification.

Now, fever itself does not cause increased pooping. But the infections responsible for many fevers, like the stomach flu, salmonella and other gastrointestinal bugs often lead to loose stools or diarrhea. The resulting dehydration from frequent bowel movements can actually prolong your misery. So be sure to stay hydrated if a fever has you running to the bathroom.

Don’t avoid pooping just because you feel crummy. Let that fever flush naturally through your system and listen when your body urges you to go. Staying regular while fighting a fever can help you get back on your feet faster. Just be sure to sanitize afterward!

Now that we’ve covered whether pooping helps or hurts when you’re feverish, let’s dive deeper into the connection between your poop and fever symptoms.

Does Fever Cause Increased Pooping?

To start – fever itself does not directly make you poop more. The viruses, infections or underlying conditions causing the fever are more likely the culprit for increased bowel movements, diarrhea or loose stools.

Some examples of illnesses that can result in both fever and frequent pooping include:

Stomach flu – Gastroenteritis viruses like norovirus irritate the GI tract, causing diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Food poisoning – Bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella trigger fever along with severe diarrhea.
Strep throat – Fevers from strep bacterial infections can also lead to nausea and diarrhea.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – UTIs cause fever and urgency to urinate and poop.
Appendicitis – Inflammation of the appendix results in fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Inflammatory bowel diseases – Ongoing conditions like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis involve fever and chronic diarrhea.

So while the act of pooping does not directly cause a fever, the infections responsible for fever often affect the digestive system, resulting in more frequent bowel movements.

Is Pooping Good When You Have a Fever?

Passing stool more often may be the last thing you want to deal with when already feeling lousy with a fever. But pooping can actually help facilitate recovery when you’re sick.

Here’s why continuing regular bowel movements is beneficial if you have a fever:

Eliminates viruses or bacteria – Pathogens causing your illness are shed through stool. Pooping removes toxins from your body.
Prevents dehydration – Diarrhea from fever can lead to dehydration. Pooping normally balances fluid loss.
Aids immune response – Your gastrointestinal and immune systems are interconnected. Keeping your bowels moving supports immune function.
Reduces fever duration – Evacuating pathogens results in fewer fevers and shorter illness duration.
Provides comfort – Holding in poop when you feel sick can cause bloating, nausea and abdominal discomfort.

So while it may take some extra effort, allowing bowel movements to occur naturally facilitates your body’s fever recovery process. Just be sure to stay hydrated when pooping more often.

Tips for Pooping When You Have a Fever

Pooping when you already feel miserable with fever and body aches takes motivation. Here are some tips to make passing stools easier when feverish:

Stay hydrated – Drink fluids like water, broths and electrolyte beverages to replace losses from fever.
Eat gentle foods – Stick to bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Avoid spicy and high-fiber items.
Rest afterward – Preserve energy by resting after bathroom trips when feverish.
Use a fever reducer – Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and ease aches.
Try a warm bath – Warm water soothes abdominal and rectal pain from bowel movements.
Use soothing wipes – Opt for cooling wipes to reduce anal irritation and discomfort.
Listen to your body – Allow yourself to poop when the urge strikes to avoid straining.

Staying hydrated and letting your body poop when needed preventsBackup that can extend your misery. Be patient with bowel motions when fever has you feeling crummy.

Warning Signs to See a Doctor About Fever and Pooping

For most viral illnesses, continuing bowel movements as normal helps you recover faster when feverish. However, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation, especially if you experience:

Severe abdominal pain
Inability to keep liquids down
Blood in stool
Confusion or dizziness
Dehydration
Fever over 104°F
Persistent fever lasting over 3 days
Recent travel to high-risk area

Seeking prompt medical treatment provides relief for severe dehydration and infections requiring prescription medication or hospitalization for IV fluids.

How Does Constipation Affect Fever?

Now that we’ve covered diarrhea – what about the opposite end of the poop spectrum? How does constipation impact recovering from fever?

Constipation itself does not cause fever. Going a few days without a bowel movement will not make you feverish.

However, some viruses and bacterial infections that cause both fever and diarrhea early on can later result in constipation as the illness resolves.

And pre-existing constipation can worsen the overall experience of fever, nausea and body aches by causing:

Abdominal pain and bloating
Loss of appetite
Increased irritability
Headaches
Fatigue

So while constipation does not directly cause fevers, the combination of constipation and fever symptoms warrants evaluation to rule out infection and provide relief.

Home remedies like hydration, probiotics, exercise and laxatives can alleviate constipation. But severe abdominal pain and fever requires medical assessment to identify the underlying cause.

When to See a Doctor for Fevers and Pooping Issues

For most viral illnesses causing both fever and pooping issues, over-the-counter supportive care and waiting it out speeds recovery.

However, contact your doctor promptly if you experience:

High fever over 103°F
Blood in stool
Severe diarrhea persisting over 48 hours
Inability to keep fluids down
Confusion, stiff neck or trouble breathing
Recent antibiotic use with new fever
Exposure to communicable diseases
Fever in infants under 3 months old
Chronic bowel issues or immune disorders

Seeking medical care for serious symptoms can identify and treat infections, dehydration, inflammatory conditions and other underlying causes needing specific prescription medications or supplementation.

How Doctors Diagnose Concurrent Fever and Poop Problems

To get to the root cause of concurrent fever and pooping issues, doctors may order:

Blood and stool tests – Check for viruses, bacteria and white blood cell levels indicating infection or inflammation.
Urinalysis – Screens for UTIs, diabetes and related illnesses.
Abdominal CT scan – Provides images of the appendix, intestines, pancreas and other organs.
Colonoscopy – Examines the rectum and colon with a scope to spot infections, IBD, cancers.
Pelvic exam – Evaluates women for PID, ovarian cysts and related conditions.
Wet mount – Microscopic examination of discharge samples checks for parasites and STIs.

Discuss all symptoms openly with your provider to help diagnose the sickness accurately and outline the appropriate treatment plan.

Treatments That Can Resolve Fever and Bowel Problems

Depending on the underlying cause, possible medical treatments for concurrent fever and pooping issues may include:

Antibiotics – For bacterial infections, viruses don’t respond to antibiotics.
Antidiarrheals – Medications to slow bowel movements.
IV fluids – Hydration for severe dehydration.
Supplements – Electrolyte replacement, probiotics.
Antipyretics – Fever reducers such as acetaminophen.
Laxatives – Stool softeners and laxatives for constipation relief.
Special diets – BRAT diet, low fiber, low lactose.
Surgery – For severe appendicitis, bowel obstructions, etc.

Follow your provider’s recommendations to alleviate symptoms, treat any infections, prevent dehydration and address underlying conditions.

Lifestyle Remedies for Coping with Fever and Pooping Problems

In addition to medical treatment, you can use these healthy strategies at home when dealing with both fever and poop issues:

Rest and take it easy until the fever fully resolves.
Stay hydrated with water, broths, electrolytes. Avoid alcohol.
Apply a cool cloth to forehead, neck and wrists to lower body temperature.
Take lukewarm baths to soothe aches and bowel discomfort.
Try deep breathing, meditation and yoga when having bowel urges to relax.
Wear loose, lightweight clothing and sleep with light blankets.
Use over-the-counter fever and pain relievers as needed.
Adjust your diet – stick to BRAT foods and avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and high-fiber items until symptoms improve.
Try warm teas with honey to ease nausea and sore throat.
Apply zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to protect skin from diarrhea irritation.

With rest and TLC, you can get through a fever faster by listening to your body and maintaining healthy poop habits.

The Bottom Line on Pooping and Fever

Dealing with fever and related pooping problems can really put you out of commission. But continuing regular bowel movements actually facilitates your body’s natural detox process when ill. Passing pathogens and preventing dehydration shortens your misery.

So don’t delay going to the bathroom just because you already feel lousy with chills, aches and fatigue. Let that fever flush naturally through your system. Stay hydrated, be gentle with your diet, and get the rest you need.

Pay attention for any severe symptoms warranting medical evaluation. Otherwise, keep pooping as normal to help break your fever faster and get back on your feet. Let your bowels move through sickness!