The hallmark traits with which COVID-19 presents itself involve respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, a fever, and dry cough. However, people with COVID-19 have also reported another set of symptoms- gastrointestinal. These gastrointestinal and liver abnormalities can develop either alone or with respiratory symptoms.
A study from the Wuhan Medical Treatment Expert Group for COVID-19 suggests that such symptoms may be more widespread than anticipated. Another study conducted by researchers at Stanford University found that a third of patients they studied with a mild case of COVID-19 had symptoms affecting the digestive system. One more analysis of more than 200 people admitted to three hospitals in Hubei, China found that almost 1 in 5 had at least one gastrointestinal symptom, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or abdomen pain.
COVID-19 and gastrointestinal link
Research suggests that virus that causes COVID-19 can harm your digestive tract and liver tissue, by entering the area through cell surface receptors for an enzyme called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Receptors for this enzyme are 100 times more common in the gastrointestinal tract than the respiratory tract. GI problems may also slower your recovery and the digestive symptoms may worsen if you get sicker.
People already suffering from some gastrointestinal disorders, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are at an increased risk of developing types of viral infections. However, it is not fully established that people with IBD are more likely to develop COVID-19 than people without IBD.
Gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19
Diarrhea
Diarrhea, as a digestive symptom, has been found to commonly occur in patients tested positive for COVID-19. Study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology examined 206 patients with a mild case of COVID-19. They found 48 people had only digestive symptoms and another 69 had both digestive and respiratory symptoms.
Loss of Appetite
Another observed symptom of COVID-19 is not feeling hungry, or loss of appetite. People who develop COVID-19 report losing their appetite.
Vomiting
Vomiting is more common in children with COVID-19 than adults.
After analyzing all the COVID-19 clinical studies and case reports related to digestive issues, researchers found that 3.6 to 15.9 percent of adults experienced vomiting, compared with 6.5 to 66.7 percent of children.
Other gastrointestinal/digestive symptoms of COVID-19
Along with mentioned symptoms, patients have also been observed to experience other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, nausea, and gastrointestinal bleeding, in some cases.
What can you do if you experience such symptoms
Keep in mind that experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, or nausea can be due to many causes other than coronavirus. It is possible that if you have diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, it doesn’t mean that you have COVID-19.
You can treat the digestive symptoms of COVID-19 at home by paying extra attention to yourself and monitoring your symptoms. To combat diarrhea, vomiting and more such symptoms keep your hydration level adequate, avoiding foods that upset your stomach, and getting as much rest as possible.
Most cases of COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms which can be managed at home. Taking the right precautions at home like self-quarantine, maintaining a distance from family members to avoid transmitting the virus to other people, and practicing good hygiene can help you recover with your symptoms.
If your symptoms get worse, inform your healthcare provider. It could be a more serious bacterial infection or an early sign of COVID-19.
