Why does fever often accompany diarrhea?
Jun 23, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Fever refers to an elevated body temperature, while "la xi" refers to diarrhea. Generally, fever accompanied by diarrhea may be caused by factors such as exposure to cold, gastrointestinal dysfunction, viral gastroenteritis, bacterial enteritis, or food poisoning. Symptomatic management may involve general treatment and medication. It is recommended to choose light, easily digestible foods in daily life to help reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal system.
Fever refers to an elevated body temperature, while "la xi" refers to diarrhea. Generally, fever accompanied by diarrhea may be caused by factors such as exposure to cold, gastrointestinal dysfunction, viral gastroenteritis, bacterial enteritis, food poisoning, and other similar conditions. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to determine the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment accordingly. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Exposure to Cold
When the body is subjected to cold stimulation, the central temperature regulation mechanism may be disrupted, leading to fever. Additionally, cold temperatures can affect normal gastrointestinal motility and reduce intestinal immunity, causing an imbalance in intestinal flora and subsequently triggering diarrhea. Symptoms may also include chills, headache, and body aches. It is recommended to keep warm, replenish fluids and electrolytes, and take other measures to help alleviate symptoms.
2. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction
During fever, metabolic disturbances may directly affect gastrointestinal motility and digestion, resulting in diarrhea. A decreased immune response during fever may also weaken the gastrointestinal defense mechanisms, making the body more susceptible to pathogens that cause diarrhea. Symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. It is advisable to adjust your diet, avoid spicy, greasy, or irritating foods, and consume bland, easily digestible meals.
3. Viral Gastroenteritis
After viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus invade the digestive system, they trigger an inflammatory response that damages the intestinal mucosa and impairs absorption function, leading to diarrhea. Additionally, the systemic inflammatory response caused by the infection can result in fever. Symptoms typically include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as ciprofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, bismuth potassium citrate tablets, enteritis-relieving granules, and others for treatment.
4. Bacterial Enteritis
Bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli) can attack the intestines, damaging the mucosa and affecting water and electrolyte absorption, which causes diarrhea. Bacterial infection can also trigger a systemic inflammatory response, leading to fever. Symptoms may generally include abdominal pain, blood in the stool, and tenesmus. It is recommended to follow medical instructions and use medications such as amoxicillin granules, levofloxacin tablets, and clindamycin hydrochloride for injection to alleviate symptoms.
5. Food Poisoning
Consuming contaminated food, such as food containing Staphylococcus aureus or Clostridium botulinum toxins, may impair intestinal function and cause diarrhea. Additionally, the toxins may induce a systemic inflammatory response, resulting in fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and other symptoms. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as minocycline hydrochloride capsules, levofloxacin lactate capsules, and Niuhuang Jiedu tablets for treatment.
It is recommended to choose bland and easily digestible foods in daily meals, such as millet porridge and soft noodles, which can help reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal system.
