Can the flu cause diarrhea?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on September 23, 2024
00:00
00:00

Influenza can cause diarrhea, but this is a minority occurrence. Influenza is a disease that appears after the respiratory system of a human body gets infected with the influenza virus. After infecting the human body, influenza primarily manifests symptoms like coughing, sore throat, and fever. However, some patients may develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting after being infected with influenza. This situation is related to viral infection, not the commonly thought stomach flu or food poisoning. Some patients may also experience joint pain and a decrease in appetite. If a patient experiences diarrhea accompanied by respiratory infection symptoms and has tested positive for influenza antibodies, it is necessary to promptly use antiviral drugs for influenza. However, many doctors who do not have such experience in diagnosing influenza might mistake the nausea and diarrhea caused by influenza for gastroenteritis, leading to a delay in proper treatment. Therefore, if one has respiratory symptoms accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, the possibility of influenza should be considered.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
58sec home-news-image

The incubation period of influenza is how many days?

The incubation period refers to the time from when pathogenic microorganisms invade the human body to when symptoms appear. We call this the incubation period. The duration of the incubation period is related to the patient's resistance and the virulence of the pathogenic microorganisms. Generally speaking, the incubation period for influenza A is usually about 2-4 days, while for other types like influenza B and C, the incubation period can often reach 5-7 days. During the incubation period of influenza, patients often do not exhibit typical flu symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and fever. The primary manifestations may be general malaise, such as muscle and skeletal pain, loss of appetite, poor digestion, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is very easy to misdiagnose these symptoms as other diseases during the incubation period.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
52sec home-news-image

What fruits can people with edema eat?

Influenza refers to a group of diseases that occur when the respiratory system of the human body is infected by the influenza virus, primarily characterized by coughing, sore throat, and fever. However, besides causing respiratory symptoms, the influenza virus can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and can also lead to a decrease in appetite. Fruits, due to their abundant fluid content and rich vitamins and minerals, are particularly suitable for consumption during influenza when appetite is reduced. It is generally recommended that patients eat some fruits that clear heat, reduce fire, and nourish the yin, such as pears, tangerines, lotus roots, sugarcane, and water chestnuts. These fruits can effectively treat influenza and also supplement the needed nutrients.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
49sec home-news-image

Is type B influenza contagious?

First, we need to understand what influenza B is. Influenza B, also known as influenza type B, is a type of influenza caused by the influenza B virus. Currently, it is classified as a class C infectious disease, which means it is indeed contagious. The main sources of transmission for influenza B are patients and asymptomatic carriers. Generally, the virus is contagious from one to seven days after onset of the illness, with the highest contagiousness occurring within the first two to three days. Influenza B is a respiratory tract infectious disease, mainly spread through the air and droplets. Most people are susceptible to influenza B.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
57sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for the flu?

Influenza refers to a disease that manifests as cough, fever, and sore throat following human infection by the influenza virus. It is commonly known as the flu or influenza. In addition to respiratory symptoms, the flu may also present with digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, for flu treatment, one can visit the respiratory department. Of course, in cases of severe symptoms such as high fever, chest tightness, and fatigue, one may also visit the emergency department. However, if the initial diagnosis is predominantly digestive symptoms, it's possible that the gastroenterology department will refer the patient back to the respiratory department for treatment. This requires careful differentiation and exclusion by the doctor before making a diagnosis, so visiting the respiratory or emergency department for flu is appropriate.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
54sec home-news-image

symptoms of influenza

The symptoms of influenza vary greatly from individual to individual. The typical presentation first follows the trend of influenza outbreaks. After coming into contact with an infected person or the influenza virus, symptoms such as fatigue, limb pain, nausea and vomiting may be experienced. Some may also have symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, sore and dry throat, and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Clinically, the main symptoms are limb pain and body fatigue, and some may also experience a rise in body temperature. It is advisable to drink more water, rest more, and measure body temperature. Choosing antipyretic analgesics can generally relieve symptoms, and antiviral medications can also be used as treatment directed toward the cause. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)