How many days does a child's stomach flu self-heal?

Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
Updated on March 06, 2025
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Gastroenteritis in children is usually caused by viral infections, which are self-limiting diseases. The course of the disease generally lasts about 5-7 days, so most children can gradually recover within this period.

Gastroenteritis is relatively common in pediatrics. Its symptoms are somewhat similar to those of upper respiratory tract infections, including mild coughing, fever, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. Most children with gastroenteritis will experience gastrointestinal symptoms for about two to three days, which then gradually alleviate. In the later stages of the disease, recurring low-grade fevers often occur, and mild coughing symptoms may also appear.

After the course of the disease, the aforementioned symptoms can improve, so parents need not worry too much. If the child's diarrhea is severe, it is important to ensure hydration to avoid dehydration.

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Differences between viral colds and bacterial colds in children

When children have a viral cold, they have a runny nose with clear mucus, whereas bacterial colds usually do not involve a runny nose, or the discharge is purulent. In viral colds, children may have a fever but generally remain in good spirits, and their spirits return to normal after the fever subsides. In contrast, with bacterial colds, children experience fluctuating high temperatures, poor spirits after the fever subsides, and may show symptoms such as chills and cold hands and feet. Viral colds typically present more nasal discharge than throat symptoms; when the tonsils are inflamed, they appear smooth and bright red, whereas in bacterial colds, the inflamed tonsils are uneven, dull, and sometimes with visible pus spots.

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Pulmonology
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What causes a cold headache?

In most cases, headaches from colds can be considered possibly caused by viral or bacterial infections. Typically, inflammatory stimuli may cause intense constriction of cerebral blood vessels, leading to headaches. Therefore, it is advised to pay attention and, under the guidance of a doctor, take some pain relief medications to treat and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, one should perform a routine blood test under a doctor's guidance to identify the cause, and then take the appropriate anti-infection medications for treatment. Furthermore, if the headache is due to a viral infection, it may be necessary to take antiviral medications. In the case of a bacterial infection, anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications should be taken to relieve symptoms. It is also important to handle symptoms appropriately, rest more, and avoid overexertion. Moreover, keeping the head warm and avoiding exposure to cold and wind is also important.

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Written by Wu Xiao Sheng
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How to distinguish between viral cold and bacterial cold

The majority of colds are caused by viral infections, with only a very small portion caused by bacterial infections, or accompanied by bacterial infections. The distinction between viral and bacterial colds is primarily made from the following two aspects: First, in terms of clinical symptoms, those caused by viral colds are mostly short-lived, usually healing quickly within about a week, while the clinical symptoms caused by bacterial colds tend to persist longer, often exceeding a week. Secondly, in terms of blood work, viral colds mostly show normal results, or a lower white blood cell count; whereas bacterial colds often exhibit an increased white blood cell count, or an increased proportion of neutrophils.

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Can you exercise when you have a cold in the summer?

Generally speaking, it is not advisable to exercise after catching a cold; it is usually recommended to rest instead. This is because after catching a cold, a person's immune system is often weakened, commonly accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, tiredness, and decreased appetite. If one exercises during this time, it will inevitably increase the body's consumption, further reducing the body's resistance, weakening the body even more, and hindering the recovery from the illness. Moreover, exercise increases lung capacity, leading to a higher volume of air passing through the airways, which can aggravate symptoms such as throat discomfort and cough associated with a cold. From this perspective, it is also unsuitable to exercise.

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What should I do if I have a cold and a runny nose?

Symptoms of a cold with a runny nose do not need to be overly worried about. Clinically, symptomatic treatment is mainly adopted, such as the local use of Ephedrine Nasal Drops, which can relieve the swelling of the nasal mucosa, causing the capillaries to constrict and control the symptoms of a runny nose. You can also choose Chinese patent medicines that open the orifices, such as Huodan Pills, Qianbai Biyan Tablets, Nose Comfort Tablets, etc., or take medicines that inhibit gland secretion, such as Chlorpheniramine Maleate Tablets, Cimetidine Tablets, etc. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)