Gastrointestinal colds and gastroenteritis are usually distinguished by different triggers, different clinical symptoms, and different stool characteristics. 1. Different triggers: The onset of gastrointestinal colds is usually associated with alternating heat and cold. On the other hand, the onset of gastroenteritis is mainly related to the consumption of unclean or spoiled food, which mainly occurs in summer or fall. 2. Different clinical symptoms: Although the clinical symptoms of gastrointestinal cold and gastroenteritis are similar, they are not exactly the same. Gastrointestinal colds are accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms, as well as respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache and other cold symptoms. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, usually has no cold symptoms. 3. Stool characteristics are different: gastrointestinal colds have diarrhea, but usually no watery stools and mucus, pus and blood stools. Gastroenteritis is usually accompanied by watery stools and mucus, pus and blood. It is recommended that patients with the above characteristics should consult a doctor in a timely manner, and different treatments should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.