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What are the symptoms of stomach flu?

Mar 03, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
In general, gastrointestinal flu usually refers to gastroenteric cold. Symptoms of gastroenteric cold include abdominal distension, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Patients with abdominal distension may experience a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the abdomen. This is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection affecting the intestines, leading to intestinal dysfunction, slowed peristalsis, and retention of gas and food residue in the intestines, thereby causing abdominal distension.

Generally speaking, stomach flu usually refers to gastrointestinal-type colds. Symptoms of gastrointestinal-type colds include abdominal distension, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and others. The specific details are as follows:

1. Abdominal Distension

Patients with abdominal distension may feel bloated and uncomfortable in the abdomen. This is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection affecting the intestines, leading to intestinal dysfunction, slowed peristalsis, and retention of gas and food residue in the intestines, thereby causing abdominal distension.

2. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of gastrointestinal-type colds and may manifest as dull pain, cramping, or mild discomfort. The cause of abdominal pain may be intestinal inflammation, intestinal spasms, or irritation of the intestinal wall by gas and food residue within the intestines.

3. Vomiting

Vomiting is a prominent symptom of gastrointestinal-type colds. Patients may experience frequent vomiting, often expelling the contents of the stomach. Vomiting may occur due to intestinal infection causing dysfunction of intestinal function, preventing the normal downward movement of stomach contents, thus triggering vomiting.

4. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another major symptom of gastrointestinal-type colds. Patients may experience watery stools, mucus-filled stools, or stools containing pus and blood. Diarrhea occurs due to intestinal infection, which damages the intestinal mucosa and impairs the normal absorption of water and electrolytes, thereby causing diarrhea.

5. Fever

Patients with gastrointestinal-type colds may develop fever, with body temperature rising above 38°C. Fever may be caused by the body's immune response to intestinal infection, leading to dysfunction of the temperature regulation center.

When related symptoms appear, timely medical attention should be sought, and diagnosis and treatment from a physician should be received.

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