Objective To investigate the thirst status of patients in intensive care unit (ICU) who underwent oral tracheal intubation and ventilator assisted ventilation, and explore its influence factors. Methods A total of 172 patients with oral tracheal intubation admitted in ICU from June 2020 to September 2021 were investigated, and a numerical rating scale was employed for rating their thirst feelings. The patients were divided into a thirst group and a non-thirst group based on thirst status. The thirst status and influence factors of thirst distress were analyzed. Results The incidence of thirst in the ICU patients with oral tracheal intubation and ventilator assisted ventilation was 88.4%, and the thirst score in the thirst group was 7.70±1.17. Single factor analysis showed statistically significant difference between the two groups in sex, medical payment, smoking, drinking, duration of mechanical ventilation, humidification effect, sputum viscosity, gastrointestinal decompression, fasting, continuous renal replacement therapy, diuretics, 24-hour urine volume and liquid balance, heart function grading, sedatives, agitation, sweating, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ, endotracheal intubation depth, body mass index, PCO2, PO2, HCO3–, tidal volume, and sodium ion (all P<0.05). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that diuretics, sputum viscosity, sodium ion, alcohol consumption, smoking, intubation depth, and cardiac function were independent influence factors for the occurrence of thirst in the ICU patients who received tracheal intubation (P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of thirst was high in ICU patients with airway intubation and ventilator assisted ventilation. Diuretics, sputum viscosity, sodium ion, alcohol consumption, smoking, 24-hour urine volume, and cardiac function grading were independent influence factors for the occurrence of thirst in ICU patients with tracheal intubation. It is necessary to implement targeted intervention to prevent and alleviate the thirst degree of patients, reduce the occurrence of related complications, and improve patient comfort.