Do you have a fever with gastroenteritis?

Written by Zhai Guo Dong
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Gastroenteritis mainly presents symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea, with an increased frequency of bowel movements, ten times or even more than ten times, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. There may be irregular fevers, such as low-grade fever, and severe cases can develop high fever. Subsequently, the symptoms of the patient become more severe, manifesting restlessness and lethargy, even confusion or coma. Therefore, we must pay special attention and not take it lightly.

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Can I eat bread with gastroenteritis?

People with gastroenteritis should try to eat less bread, as bread is a type of fermented flour-based food that can cause increased gas production and acid reflux when consumed in excess. Due to some damage in the intestinal function of individuals with gastroenteritis and the disruption of gastrointestinal digestive functions, it is advisable to choose soft, easily digestible foods such as rice soup and vegetable soup, eat more vegetables, and drink plenty of fluids. If diarrhea occurs, it is important to actively use medications that stabilize the intestines and stop diarrhea. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which should be promptly treated with fluid replenishment.

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Written by Li Ying
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How is acute gastroenteritis caused?

Acute gastroenteritis primarily has two main causes. The first is infection by bacteria and toxins, with Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus being the most common infections, and staphylococcal toxins, especially from Staphylococcus aureus, being frequently seen. Viruses can also cause outbreaks, often occurring in groups or within families. Additionally, consuming contaminated meat from poultry, fish, or other livestock, as well as seafood like snails grown in the wild, can trigger the disease. Contaminated leftovers infected by Staphylococcus aureus can also induce illness. The second cause involves physical and chemical factors, such as eating cold foods, some antibiotics, or accidentally consuming strong acids, alkalis, or pesticides, all of which can lead to this disease.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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Acute gastroenteritis treatment

The treatment of acute gastroenteritis should be based on the specific cause. For those cases caused by exposure to the cold or other reasons leading to gastrointestinal flu, the main treatment is antiviral and antidiarrheal. For infectious diarrhea caused by improper diet and other reasons, the treatment generally focuses on antibacterial and antidiarrheal measures. Generally, patients with mild acute gastroenteritis can still eat on their own, and other symptoms are not very severe, so they can be treated by taking oral medications. In more severe cases, such as significant vomiting and diarrhea, where the patient cannot eat, intravenous therapy may be necessary. In cases with severe symptoms such as dehydration, dry mouth, reduced urine output, and poor skin elasticity, hospitalization may be required.

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Gastroenterology
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How to alleviate gastroenteritis?

If the patient has gastroenteritis, we recommend that the patient should rest in bed as much as possible. For patients with mild conditions, we can advise oral intake of glucose and electrolytes to replenish the loss of body fluids. If there is persistent vomiting or evident dehydration, intravenous rehydration with glucose saline and other relevant electrolytes is necessary. We encourage the intake of light liquid or semi-liquid diet to prevent or treat mild dehydration. Additionally, injections of pain relievers, antispasmodic drugs, and antidiarrheal medications can be administered for symptomatic treatment. For infectious diarrhea, targeted antibiotics can be used, but it is advised to avoid their misuse.

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Symptoms of acute gastroenteritis

The symptoms of acute gastroenteritis depend on the cause, including gastroenteritis caused by a stomach flu or bacterial infection. The symptoms of gastroenteritis from a stomach flu usually include fever, chills, dizziness, fatigue, body aches, stomach pain, diarrhea with watery stools, sometimes accompanied by vomiting and bloating. Routine stool tests often show no significant abnormalities. Acute gastroenteritis caused by bacterial infection typically manifests as stomach pain and diarrhea, accompanied by fever and chills, with stools that are mucous in nature. Routine stool tests often reveal the presence of white blood cells, pus cells, or phagocytes, and a routine blood test may indicate an increased white blood cell count. Treatment methods vary and generally involve symptomatic treatment, which usually leads to gradual relief.