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How Influenza Affects Gastrointestinal Function

Jun 05, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, primarily affects gastrointestinal function through direct viral infection, indirect immune responses, medication irritation, the effects of high fever, and gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. If influenza is diagnosed, patients can take medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, or Oseltamivir phosphate capsules under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms.

　　The common cold refers to influenza. Influenza primarily affects gastrointestinal function through direct viral infection, indirect immune responses, medication irritation, the impact of high fever, and gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. If concerned, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation. Detailed analysis is as follows:

　　1. Direct viral infection: After infecting the human body, the influenza virus may directly impact gastrointestinal function. The viral infection can cause inflammatory responses in the gastrointestinal mucosa, disrupting normal gastrointestinal motility, digestion, and absorption functions, thus triggering gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

　　2. Indirect immune response: During the body's immune response against the influenza virus, various inflammatory mediators and cytokines are released. These substances not only act locally in the respiratory tract but may also affect the neural regulation and blood circulation of the gastrointestinal tract, indirectly causing gastrointestinal discomfort. For example, the body's stress response may excite the sympathetic nerves, inhibiting gastrointestinal motility and causing symptoms such as indigestion.

　　3. Medication irritation: Some medications used to treat influenza may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, further exacerbating gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, when choosing medications, patients should follow medical advice and try to select drugs with less gastrointestinal irritation.

　　4. Impact of high fever: Influenza often accompanies high fever, which can disrupt gastrointestinal motility and cause abnormal secretion of digestive fluids, thus affecting food digestion and absorption. This is also one of the reasons why influenza patients often experience loss of appetite and indigestion.

　　5. Gastrointestinal motility dysfunction: When the influenza virus invades the gastrointestinal tract, it may cause gastrointestinal dysfunction. This dysfunction not only affects normal gastrointestinal motility but may also trigger various gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

　　If influenza is confirmed, patients can, under a doctor's guidance, take medications such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Ganmaoling granules, and oseltamivir phosphate capsules to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. Patients should also pay attention to adjusting their diet and lifestyle. Choose light, easily digestible foods and avoid spicy, greasy, and irritating foods to prevent additional burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

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