Is it normal to have a fever with gastroenteritis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 23, 2025
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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 Yan Xin Liang
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What to do if a child has gastroenteritis?

For children with gastroenteritis, we first treat the gut with probiotics, such as oral bifidobacterium or lactobacillus acidophilus. Then, we can provide gastrointestinal mucosal protectants, such as montmorillonite powder. At the same time, since gastroenteritis may cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders, it is necessary to replenish fluids and electrolytes, commonly using oral rehydration salts. If the gastroenteritis is suspected to be caused by a viral infection, some antiviral medications should be taken orally. If it is considered to be caused by a bacterial infection, oral antibiotics for anti-infection treatment, such as cephalosporins or penicillins, should be administered.

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Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
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How to deal with acute gastroenteritis

When diagnosing acute gastroenteritis, we generally assess whether the symptoms match those of acute gastroenteritis. This typically involves examining the frequency of bowel movements, often more than ten times, with stool colors usually yellow-green. Some may appear like egg drop soup, while others have watery stools, and severe cases might include mucus, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and complications like hypokalemia due to severe vomiting. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating and fever, and in severe cases, it may even lead to unconsciousness. Thus, it is important to conduct routine stool tests and check for white blood cell counts to aid in diagnosis followed by subsequent treatment. In terms of treatment, it principally includes bed rest and symptomatic relief, alongside possible antibiotic therapy. Maintaining hygiene, proper management of drinking water, and stool are essential preventive measures for such conditions.

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Written by Li Ying
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How to alleviate acute gastroenteritis

For acute gastroenteritis, the first step is to provide general treatment, which is to have the patient rest in bed as much as possible. For mild cases, oral rehydration solutions can be used to replenish lost fluids. If the patient has persistent vomiting or noticeable dehydration, they need to replenish with glucose-salt water or other relevant electrolytes. Patients should try to eat a light diet, consisting of semi-liquid foods, to prevent dehydration. Secondly, symptomatic treatment should be administered if necessary, including injections of antiemetic and antispasmodic medications, as well as antidiarrheal drugs. Thirdly, antimicrobial treatment, which is mainly targeted at infectious diarrhea, should involve the appropriate use of targeted antibiotics, but it is important to prevent their misuse.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of gastroenteritis and cold

Gastroenteritis and the common cold generally manifest as two types of symptoms in clinical settings. The first type includes symptoms caused by upper respiratory tract infections. The second type involves gastrointestinal symptoms. Common symptoms of upper gastrointestinal tract infections include fever, fatigue, dry cough, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and itchy throat, etc., typically lasting about a week. These symptoms are usually nonspecific and similar to those of a typical upper respiratory tract infection. The second type of symptoms generally involves gastrointestinal issues, presenting as abdominal discomfort, bloating, leg pain, and abnormal stool. Clinically, abnormal stools are often looser and more frequent, but typically do not involve bloody stools. These symptoms are generally not severe and can be observed.

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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.