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Hi there Aunt Vadge,
My boyfriend fingered me a day ago, and when he removed his fingers there was blood on them. The very next day I had a fever and continuous stomach pain – like cramps – and very bad digestion, as if I’m having loose motions. What is it? What should I do?
Sincerely,
Unwell
Age 19, India
Dear Unwell,
Let’s separate the two things, because they’re almost certainly unrelated. The fever, stomach pain, cramping and loose stools coming on the next day sound like a gastro bug (gastroenteritis) – your digestive and immune systems work quite separately from your vagina, and fingering simply can’t cause fever and diarrhoea.
So the tummy illness is very likely a coincidence of timing: a bug you’ve picked up, which usually settles in a few days with rest, plenty of fluids and simple food. The blood on his fingers, separately, was most likely a small graze from the fingering, especially if there wasn’t much lubrication – minor and self-healing.
That said, two safety points, because you have a fever.
First, notice where the pain actually is: if it’s low down in your pelvis or lower belly (rather than the central, churning, gut kind of upset), and it’s there together with fever after recent sexual contact, that combination should be checked by a doctor promptly, because a pelvic infection (PID) can present that way and needs treatment.
Second, with any stomach bug, keep your fluids up and see a doctor if the fever is high or persistent, the pain is severe or worsening, you can’t keep fluids down, or you see blood in your stools – those need medical review.
But most likely this is a stomach bug plus a coincidental little graze, and both settle on their own. If the fever or pain hasn’t improved within a day or two, get seen to be safe.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. With a fever and ongoing pain, please see a doctor.
