Does colitis cause a fever?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 05, 2025
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Colitis is caused by bacterial or viral infections in the colon, and infections are the most common cause of fever; therefore, patients with colitis often experience fever. Some pathogens invade the human body and act on the temperature regulation center, raising the set point, which results in fever. If the body temperature does not exceed 38.5°C, physical methods can be used to reduce the fever, such as wiping the palms, soles, forehead, and armpits with a warm towel, while actively using medication to treat colitis. If the body temperature is higher, some antipyretic drugs can be used along with the treatment for colitis.

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Is colonic inflammatory polyp serious?

Inflammatory colon polyps are not very severe, and it is very rare for inflammatory polyps to become cancerous. However, if the inflammatory polyps are relatively large, it is necessary to undergo endoscopic treatment to remove them. After removal, pathological and tissue examinations are also needed to further confirm whether the polyps are indeed inflammatory and to rule out tumorous polyps, such as adenomatous polyps, among others. Additionally, about six months after the polyp removal surgery, a follow-up colonoscopy should be conducted to check for the recurrence of polyps. The primary causes of inflammatory colon polyps could be diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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Can colitis be cured completely?

Colitis is quite common in clinical settings, especially in the gastroenterology outpatient department. Patients generally present with abdominal discomfort or abnormal stool, where the discomfort typically manifests as intermittent pain or discomfort in the lower left abdomen. Abnormal stool is characterized by an increase in frequency, a loose texture, and even a watery appearance, occurring more than three times a day. Typically, patients have mucus in their stools but no blood, and generally do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as fever or bloody stools. Treatment usually consists of two types: dietary adjustments and therapeutic remedies. It is generally advised for patients to consume easily digestible foods to maintain regular bowel movements and avoid spicy foods. Medication for colitis is symptomatic, potentially including anti-diarrheal agents, adjustments to the intestinal flora, or antispasmodic pain relief. The treatment outcomes for colitis are generally good and can often be completely curative. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Li Wei
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Which department should I go to for colitis?

If it is colitis, the patient has symptoms such as loose stools, increased frequency of defecation, and unformed stools. In such cases, it is first recommended to visit the gastroenterology department. After an interview and physical examination by a doctor, a colonoscopy can be performed based on the patient's condition to clarify the diagnosis. If the patient has symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and anemia in addition to the above, they can visit either the gastroenterology department or the general surgery department. Generally, the examinations for colitis include stool tests and colonoscopy. Therefore, when going to the hospital, if the patient has colitis, the first choice should be the department of gastroenterology.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
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What foods are good for colitis?

So, what kind of food is better for patients with colitis? First, we recommend high-protein, high-calorie foods, because colitis generally has a process of prolonged illness and long duration, which affects the digestion and absorption of food and causes substantial energy depletion in the body. Therefore, we recommend adopting a diet rich in protein and calories to meet our bodily needs. However, we must also note that if the amount of diet exceeds the intestinal tolerance of the patient, it may actually worsen the condition. Therefore, it is necessary to flexibly manage according to the specific conditions and symptoms of the patient, gradually increasing the supply of protein and calories is advisable. Additionally, we recommend high-vitamin foods. A diet low in residue often lacks vitamins, which can be supplemented with filtered vegetable soups and juices, such as tomato juice, to provide the necessary vitamins. On the other hand, we need to ensure adequate hydration. Normally, each person needs about 1200 to 1600 mL of water per day. If there is excessive water loss due to diarrhea, fluid therapy should also be supplemented. During acute flare-ups, we should eat a residue-free or semi-liquid diet, such as eggs, fish (except for those allergic), soy milk, tofu pudding, and other low-residue foods, along with noodles and sliced noodles, and it is appropriate to eat small meals frequently.

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Ulcerative Colitis Symptom Characteristics

Ulcerative colitis is increasingly seen in clinical settings, especially among younger patients in gastroenterology. The symptoms typically include abdominal discomfort and abnormal stool, characterized by pain and distension in the lower left abdomen, and changes in bowel habits. Generally, the frequency of stool increases, often occurring more than a dozen times, at least six times or more. The stool characteristics are also indicative, generally appearing bloody and loose. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis need standardized diagnosis and treatment. The treatment mainly consists of two types: the first is lifestyle and dietary management; the second is medication. For diet, it is recommended that patients eat easily digestible, low-residue, high-quality protein foods to enhance nutritional support. Medicinal options may include drugs that regulate intestinal flora, protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, and others like amino salicylates. However, if complications such as gastrointestinal perforation, obstruction, or bleeding occur, surgical treatment is recommended. (Please consult a doctor for specific medication usage and do not self-medicate.)