Further Inpatient Care
- Patients with tropical sprue are not usually admitted as inpatients unless they present with at diagnosis of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption with dehydration and weight loss (see Medical Care).
- Patients admitted with suspected tropical sprue should undergo workup and evaluation as previously described (see Workup).
Further Outpatient Care
- Observe patients regularly to ensure that they respond to treatment and that the correct diagnosis is made. The patient should be observed at least once a month with careful monitoring of lab studies to make sure that any signs or symptoms of malabsorption have been corrected.
- Monitor weight gain.
- Monitor the CBC count and electrolytes at least monthly.
- Correct folate, vitamin B-12, and any other deficiencies.
Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
- The same medications are used in both outpatient and inpatient settings (see Medication).
Deterrence/Prevention
- No direct evidence indicates that antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent tropical sprue.
Complications
- Anemia
- Malnutrition
- Vitamin deficiency
Prognosis
- Prognosis of this condition is generally good.
Patient Education
- Travelers to the tropics should be aware of this syndrome and take steps to limit exposure to enteric pathogens. If protracted diarrhea occurs, early presentation to medical personnel is helpful.
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Esophagus, Stomach, and Intestine Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Traveler's Diarrhea.
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