What Pus Cells in Stool Indicates – Know the Facts!

As per the recent medical data, approximately 2-4 pus cells per high power field (HPF) is considered normal in stool.

Pus cells in stool can be concerning and often reveal any underlying health issue, including inflammation or infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, pus in stool in adequate amounts to be recognizable by the naked eye shows the rupture of an abscess into the gastrointestinal tract.

Changes in the consistency, color, frequency, and size of stool can be normal as per your dietary changes. However, these stool symptoms often resolve on their own. If any of these symptoms last more than a few days can be related to any digestive tract conditions.

In this guide, we will look into the causes of pus cells in stool, probable symptoms, and treatment options. Moreover, we will also give some prevention tips for those who are having normal stools.

What are Pus Cells?

Pus cells are the dead white blood cells or leukocytes. They can accumulate in the blood when the immune system gets activated during any infection.

Basically, they are a necessary component of the immune system of the body. When they are present in the stool, they exhibit an inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract.

A small number of pus cells are considered normal and a large number suggests any underlying inflammation or infection in the body, specifically in the intestinal tract.

These cells create a whitish-yellow or yellowish-colored fluid at the site of the disease called liquor puris. It is also rich in proteins.

Pus Cells in Stool

When pus accumulates in the body, abscesses can form which can lead to intestinal blockage. Due to the blockage, the waste is removed with difficulty.

Abscesses should be treated as early as possible as they can cause dangerous amounts of bacteria and can cause major issues if they burst.

If there is any intestinal blockage or chronic constipation, a person can have an anal fissure. An anal fissure is a tear in the skin around the rectal opening that causes bleeding and pus in the stool. Many fissures can be treated at home but may need minor surgery.

If pus in stool also has blood, abdominal pain, or fever, then consult the best general physician or gastroenterologist in Pakistan immediately via Marham.

Stool Analysis

A stool analysis is a complete stool test that is used to diagnose some medical conditions. The conditions include poor nutrient absorption, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, or cancer.

For a stool analysis, a stool sample is collected in a clean container and then sent for analysis and testing.

Laboratory analysis includes:

• Stool microscopic examination
• pH of the stool
• Chemical tests
• Microbiological tests
• Physical analysis like consistency, color, shape, amount, odor, and the presence of mucus

The stool is also examined for blood, meat fibers, white blood cells, bile, fat, and sugars (reducing substances). The pH of the s

In some cases, a stool culture test is also performed to find out if any bacteria may be causing an infection.

Types of Stool

Some of the common types of stool are as follows:

• Floating Stools: Bulky and have unusual foul-smelling, normally have gas due to food
• Oily or Greasy Stools: Due to fat present in the stool
• Thin Stool: This can be due to narrowing of the rectum, colon, or anus from cancer, polyps, scarring, or other conditions
• Watery Stool: Incomplete blockage of the intestine causes diarrhea and only watery stool can pass through it
• Hard Stool: This can be due to constipation. A large mass of hard stool formed in the rectum

Normal Range of Pus Cells in Stool

Approximately 2-4 pus cells per high power field are considered normal in the stool.

Normal pus cell level exhibits a healthy immune response.

It also shows that there isn’t any significant inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.

Elevated Levels of Pus Cells in Stool

An increase in pus cells above the normal range like more than 5-7 pus cells per HPF shows that there is some underlying medical issue.

Increased levels of pus cells in stool show bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections or it can be due to inflammatory bowel disease.

1. Bacterial Infections:

Common bacterial infections like Shigella, Salmonella, and Campylobacter can cause an increase in pus cells in stool. These infections are usually transmitted via contaminated water or food.

Also Visit: Bacterial Infections Meaning in Urdu – Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):

Some conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can also lead to an increase in the pus in the stool.

Read More: Are You Suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

3. Viral Infections:

Some less common viral infections like Adenovirus and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can also cause a rise in pus cells in stool.

4. Parasitic Infections:

Parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia Lamblia can cause inflammation of the intestines which causes the presence of pus cells in stools.

5. Food Poisoning:

In some cases, acute inflammatory response in the gut occurs due to the consumption of contaminated food or water. These acute inflammatory responses can also cause an increase in the pus cells of stool.

Read More: Here Are The Major Causes Of Food Poisoning And How You Can Avoid It

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Pus Cells in Stool

Some of the ways through which diagnosis of pus cells is done and the possible treatment options for pus cells in stool are as follows:

1. Stool Analysis:

Stool analysis can be performed to find out whether pus cells are present or not. For that, a stool sample is collected and then analyzed in the lab for the presence of pus cells.

2. Antibiotic Therapy:

In the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics are referred to uproot the underlying bacterial infection which leads to a reduction in inflammation.

Read More: 5 Crucial Foods That Fight Bacteria And Kill Germs Naturally

3. Anti-Inflammatory Drugs:

For inflammatory bowel diseases, anti-inflammatory medicines like immunomodulatory or corticosteroids can be used to manage symptoms and decrease inflammation.

4. Antiparasitic Medicines:

For parasitic infections, antiparasitic medicines like albendazole or metronidazole are prescribed. These medicines can treat parasitic infections which can reduce the pus cells in the stool.

5. Rest and Hydration:

Sufficient rest and hydration are important to support the immune response of the body and also promote recovery from any gastrointestinal infections.

Preventive Tips

If you want to prevent any of the above-mentioned conditions, then you should follow these preventive measures:

• Practice good hygiene
• Drink safe water
• Cook food properly
• Avoid eating contaminated food
• Avoid high-risk foods
• Consult a gastroenterologist if you have any frequent symptoms of diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, etc

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Final Words

From bacterial infections to inflammatory bowel disease, pus cells in stool can be due to many underlying health conditions. However, it is important to diagnose, understand the cause, and look for treatment options for pus cells in stool.