Colitis is the medical term for swelling (inflammation) of the intestine. It can be caused by different things, such as an infection or loss of blood flow in the intestine. Other causes are problems like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms may include fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, or belly pain. Sometimes symptoms go away without treatment. But you may need treatment or more tests, such as blood tests or a stool test. Or you may need imaging tests like a CT scan or a colonoscopy. In some cases, the doctor may want to test a sample of tissue from the intestine. This test is called a biopsy.

The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.