How many days does it take for a baby's enteritis to get better?

Nov 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, the recovery time for infantile enteritis depends on the severity of the condition, type of infection, and care provided. Most mild cases improve within 1–2 weeks, while severe cases or special infections may require 2–4 weeks or even longer to recover. It is important to maintain good dietary hygiene for the baby, provide small, frequent amounts of fluids during diarrhea episodes, and avoid raw, cold, or greasy foods to support intestinal function recovery.

In general, the recovery time for infantile enteritis depends on the severity of the condition, the type of infection, and the quality of care. Most mild cases improve within 1–2 weeks, while severe cases or those involving special infections may require 2–4 weeks or even longer. The details are as follows:

If the baby has mild viral enteritis, presenting only with slight diarrhea and occasional vomiting without significant dehydration, symptoms typically improve noticeably within about one week and full recovery usually occurs within two weeks, provided timely rehydration and a light diet are maintained. These types of enteritis are often self-limiting, and proper care can shorten the duration of illness. However, if the enteritis is caused by bacterial infection or accompanied by severe dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, medication is required to control the infection and correct fluid imbalances, extending the recovery period to 2–4 weeks. In addition, premature infants, low-birth-weight infants, or those with underlying medical conditions have weaker intestinal function and therefore recover more slowly than healthy infants.

In daily care, attention should be paid to the baby's food hygiene. During diarrhea, provide fluids in small amounts but frequently, and avoid raw, cold, or greasy foods to support the recovery of intestinal function.