How many days does it take for a stomach cold to get better?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 11, 2025
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Gastroenteritis, also known as gastro flu, is caused by inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract which leads to a cold. This condition presents both gastrointestinal and cold symptoms, including nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, and general weakness. The primary treatments involve using cold medications and antibiotics. Recovery usually occurs gradually over about a week. During the treatment period, it is crucial to follow a light diet, ensure proper nutrition, get plenty of rest, and drink additional water to stay hydrated.

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Written by Zhang Ying Ying
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Is a wind-heat cold contagious?

In traditional Chinese medicine, a cold caused by wind-heat is seen as resulting from the combination of wind and heat pathogens. The symptoms include fever with relatively high heat signs, slight aversion to wind, not much sweating, headache, facial redness, coughing, sticky or yellow phlegm, thick yellow nasal discharge, dry throat or red and swollen throat, and other symptoms such as swollen and painful throat, nasal congestion, and dry mouth. The wind-heat type of cold in Chinese medicine generally corresponds to what is considered the common cold and influenza in Western medicine, both of which are recognized as viral infections. Therefore, the wind-heat cold is contagious, and patients should maintain a certain distance from others.

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Written by Feng Hai Tao
Pediatrics
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How to take care of a child with a cold

How to take care of a child during a cold? First, it is essential to ensure that the child rests in bed. Provide the child with plentiful water, offering small amounts frequently. If the child does not want to drink water, you can appropriately add some juice or glucose water. Also, monitor the temperature changes, generally measuring the temperature under the armpit. Second, it is crucial to keep windows open for ventilation at home, avoiding too cold or too hot environments, as neither is conducive to the child’s recovery from illness. Third, based on the changes in temperature, adjust the child’s clothing accordingly but avoid dressing the child too warmly or covering too thickly, as this can hinder heat dissipation. This is not only detrimental to the child’s recovery but can also exacerbate the illness and potentially lead to heat rash. Fourth, if the child sweats excessively, be sure to wipe the sweat timely and change their clothes. Fifth, in terms of diet, adopt a strategy of small, frequent meals that are light and easy to digest. The child should avoid eating fish, shrimp, spicy, and other stimulating foods. If the child has poor appetite or indigestion, do not force-feed them. Instead, frequently massage their abdomen, and if necessary, administer oral medication to aid digestion. Sixth, ensure adequate caloric intake and that the child urinates frequently and has regular bowel movements. Seventh, actively apply symptomatic treatment for the child and avoid the misuse of antibiotics. If the temperature persists for more than three days or if the condition worsens, it is imperative to visit the hospital promptly to avoid delaying the child's condition.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Do you get a fever with a stomach flu?

Many patients with gastrointestinal flu will experience fever because the cause of gastroenteritis is also viral infection. Gastrointestinal flu often has symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis, so it is common to experience fever. The symptoms often include fever, cold stomach, dizziness, headache, fatigue, soreness, as well as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. It is not surprising that these symptoms include fever. It is recommended to drink more boiled water, take cold medicine as appropriate, and if vomiting or diarrhea is severe, anti-diarrheal medicine can be taken to relieve it. At the same time, pay attention to a light and easily digestible diet.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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People who catch colds easily lack what?

If you find yourself catching colds easily, it usually indicates that your immune system is weak. This could be due to a deficiency in trace elements such as vitamins, calcium, or zinc. It is advisable to get these trace elements tested at a hospital and then supplement accordingly. In daily life, you can also consume foods high in protein, calcium, and vitamin C. For example, you might include eggs, milk, or lean meats in your diet, and it is important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your vitamin C intake and enhance your resistance to illnesses. Additionally, it is recommended to exercise regularly to strengthen your physique. Exercising also increases metabolism and promotes excretion, which can further enhance your immune system.

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Written by Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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How to differentiate between Wind-Cold Common Cold and Wind-Heat Common Cold

The differences between colds caused by wind-cold and those caused by wind-heat mainly lie in the symptoms. Colds caused by wind-cold are due to the invasion of wind-cold into the body, often as a result of exposure to cold environments. Common symptoms include chills, cold limbs, dizziness, fatigue, and coughing up white phlegm. On the other hand, colds caused by wind-heat occur due to the invasion of wind-heat, which frequently happens in the summer. Clinically, they are characterized by symptoms such as dark urine, coughing up pus-filled phlegm, high fever, headaches, and sore, swollen throat. Whether it is a cold caused by wind-cold or wind-heat, both can lead to related discomfort in the body and need active treatment and management to prevent the condition from worsening.