Does acute gastroenteritis cause stomach pain?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis, due to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, can cause gastric colic. Clinically, it may manifest as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It often occurs in the summer and is directly related to improper diet. It can cause not only stomach pain but also electrolyte imbalance, intestinal perforation, and sepsis. Active use of medications should be undertaken for treatment, with attention to prevent dehydration. During the treatment period, eat a light diet, avoid spicy food, rest well, and keep the abdominal area warm.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
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Is gastroenteritis contagious?

Whether gastroenteritis is contagious depends on the cause of the inflammation. For example, if a person develops abdominal pain and diarrhea from getting cold, this type of gastroenteritis, caused by chilling, is not contagious, so it will not spread from person to person. However, if the gastroenteritis is caused by bacterial dysentery (commonly known as bacillary dysentery), it can be spread through food. Therefore, whether gastroenteritis is contagious depends on the infecting pathogen and the cause; it cannot be generalized.

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Written by Si Li Li
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Is it normal to have a fever with gastroenteritis?

If it is acute gastroenteritis, its onset is sudden and the course of the disease is short. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The primary cause is due to unhygienic food consumption leading to bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract causing inflammation. It is a disease caused by bacterial infection. Fever is one of its most common symptoms. Thus, acute gastroenteritis does cause fever. The treatment primarily involves anti-inflammatory measures, rehydration, and symptomatic treatment. Generally, after two to three days of treatment, the disease will heal. After recovery, it is essential to pay attention to food hygiene, avoid eating overnight leftovers and spoiled food as they can easily trigger acute gastroenteritis.

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
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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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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Manifestations of chronic gastroenteritis

Chronic gastroenteritis primarily manifests as chronic inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which can include chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Due to poor appetite and impaired digestive absorption, symptoms such as physical emaciation, fatigue, and lethargy can occur, making one more susceptible to catching colds. For chronic gastroenteritis, it is important to adjust the imbalance of gut flora and use antibiotics to control infections. Attention should be paid to a light, regular diet, eating three meals at fixed times and amounts, avoiding greasy and spicy foods, and consuming more light vegetables and fruits. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)