Do flu patients experience vomiting?
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, can sometimes cause vomiting. Normally, if a patient's flu infection is severe and the immune system mounts a strong response, vomiting may occur. Conversely, if the infection is mild or the immune system's response is moderate, vomiting might not appear. Individual physical differences mean that symptoms following influenza can vary greatly. If any unusual symptoms occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
When the influenza virus infection is severe or the patient's immune system reacts strongly to the virus, the influenza virus may affect gastrointestinal function. On one hand, the systemic inflammatory response triggered by the influenza virus infection may stimulate nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to disordered gastrointestinal motility and causing sensations of nausea and vomiting.
If the influenza virus infection is mild or the patient's immune system responds moderately to the virus, the patient may only exhibit mild respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, runny nose, and fever, without experiencing vomiting. Additionally, if the patient receives prompt and effective treatment and pays attention to dietary management and rest, gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting may be avoided.
During an influenza episode, patients should pay attention to food safety, avoiding heavily seasoned, spicy, cold, or greasy foods to protect gastrointestinal health.