COVID-19 & gastrointestinal symptoms

A fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath are hallmark signs COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. But early research suggests that another common symptom may be often overlooked: stomach upset.

A recent analysis of more than 200 people admitted to hospitals in Hubei, China where the virus SARS-CoV-2 originated, with mild cases of COVID-19 found that almost 1 in 5 had at least one gastrointestinal symptom, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or belly pain. The problem, including watery stool, was usually not severe. The diarrhoea lasted for an average of 5 days. Nearly 80% also lacked an appetite.

Those symptoms can stem from other common causes, including stomach flu or food poisoning. But if you have COVID-19, gastrointestinal (GI) problems may slow your recovery. And the digestive symptoms may worsen as you get sicker.

Once any virus infects your body, it can destroy healthy cells and make multiple copies of itself. COVID-19 mainly attacks the cells lining your airways. This makes it hard for you to breathe and can lead to pneumonia. But researchers think the illness also may harm your digestive tract and liver tissue.

Those with digestive symptoms were more likely to have a positive stool test for the coronavirus, which means they had SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their poop. It also took them longer to clear the virus from their bodies, compared to those without gastrointestinal symptoms.

What you should do

If you have diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting, does not mean that you have COVID-19. But it is wise to pay extra attention to your symptoms during this pandemic, especially if you have a health condition that raises your chances for an infection or if you live in an area where the new coronavirus is widespread.

Stay home. Most people who test positive for the coronavirus get mildly sick and get better without treatment. Avoid going out unless you must, such as for urgent medical visits.

Have a "sick" bedroom and bathroom. If you can, use a separate bathroom for yourself if you live with others to prevent spreading illness through your poop.

Wash your hands often. Soap and water for at least 20 seconds is best, especially after you use the bathroom, blow your nose, or sneeze, and before eating or cooking. Next best is a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly. This includes the toilet seat and flush handle, bathroom doorknobs, phones, counters, and other things you touch often.

Drink lots of fluids. If you have diarrhoea or are vomiting, it is important to replace the lost fluids. An oral rehydration solution from the drugstore is best as it has salt and sugar that your body loses in diarrhoea.

Eat a bland diet. Try foods like bananas, white rice and toast, which can help limit your urge to poop and replenish carbohydrates that your body needs.

If your stomach troubles are due to a GI bug or food poisoning, you usually should feel better within 48 hours. If you do not, consult a doctor. It could be a more serious bacterial infection or an early sign of COVID-19.

Source: WebMD