Do you need an IV for a stomach flu?

Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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When suffering from a stomach flu, symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating. If the symptoms are mild, it is recommended that patients take some antispasmodic and pain relief medications orally. In terms of diet, it is best to avoid irritant foods and consume oral rehydration salts to prevent electrolyte imbalance and significant fluid loss. If the patient experiences severe diarrhea, it is advisable to appropriately supplement with sugar and electrolyte solutions or liquids. If the condition worsens, the use of antibiotics and antiviral medications may be considered.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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What should a baby eat when they have a cold?

Most colds in children are caused by viral infections. During a cold, it is normal to take oral cold medications and antiviral drugs. Additionally, we should consider the specific condition of the child's cold. For simple symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, just taking cold medications and antivirals should suffice. However, if the child has other symptoms such as gastrointestinal nausea and vomiting, it may be necessary to also use digestive aids to adjust the stomach and intestines. If the cold is accompanied by fever, with temperatures exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, antipyretics are also needed for treatment. Besides medication, it is important to maintain a light and reasonable diet and ensure proper rest during a cold. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How to distinguish between bacterial cold and viral cold?

Viral colds primarily affect the nasal area, with severe runny nose that is mostly clear and lacks pus-like discharge. When coughing, there is little phlegm. Symptoms of bacterial colds mainly occur in the tonsils and throat, showing redness and swelling of the throat, enlarged tonsils, and throat pain. The nasal discharge is generally thick, and the cough brings up thick phlegm. Viral colds do not show any abnormalities in routine blood tests, whereas bacterial colds often display an increase in white blood cells.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for gastroenteritis?

Patients with gastroenteritis can undergo moxibustion at acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36), Shenshu (BL23), Feishu (BL13), and Quchi (LI11) for effective improvement. However, it is crucial to perform moxibustion under the guidance of a qualified physician to achieve the therapeutic goals based on the individual's condition. Do not attempt to perform moxibustion on yourself blindly, as it may worsen the condition or cause other adverse reactions. Additionally, it is important to take medication promptly for gastroenteritis to achieve effective treatment. It is generally advisable to consume a light diet to avoid further burdening the digestive system.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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How to determine if a full moon baby has a cold

Generally, a one-month-old baby cannot express discomfort, so it is difficult to determine whether they have caught a cold. To judge if a baby has a cold, you need to observe if there are any changes in their usual behavior such as obvious spit-ups, decreased milk intake, increased sleep duration, deeper sleep, inconsolable crying or restlessness, labored breathing, nasal congestion, phlegm sounds in the throat, or frequent bubbles at the corners of the mouth. If the baby's breathing appears faster than usual, it likely indicates sickness. If parents notice their one-month-old is uncomfortable, it is imperative to promptly take the baby to a hospital for a thorough examination and treatment guidance from a specialist doctor.

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Written by Long Guan Han
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What should I do if my cold doesn't get better?

The common cold generally follows a process. Eighty percent of common colds start as viral colds, characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and other catarrhal symptoms. Generally, after three to five days, these catarrhal symptoms gradually disappear, as the virus is self-limiting. If the symptoms do not improve after three to five days and are accompanied by coughing, purulent sputum, and fever, it may have progressed to a bacterial cold, which requires antibiotic treatment. When we commonly refer to a persistent cold, we mainly refer to a cough. Some people might experience a cold for more than ten days, or repeatedly suffer from a dry cough. At this time, it's not that their cold hasn't healed; rather, it's because the respiratory tract has been damaged and needs time to recover. Typically, this kind of irritating dry cough without sputum generally lasts for a while.