Since the Covid-19 has started spreading all over the world, people are reporting to doctors with the sign of fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Thus, respiratory problems become hallmark signs of COVID-19. Moreover, this virus is highly contagious as the WHO has announced it as a pandemic due to its spread all over the world.

But, according to early research and some patients report, it has been seen that another common symptom of Covid-19 positive cases is stomach upset or gastrointestinal symptoms.

According to a recent report, 200 or more patients have been admitted to hospitals in Hubei, China due to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or belly pain. They were all diagnosed with mild cases of COVID-19.

Various symptoms of Covid-19

As of now, there are some visible symptoms that one can have due to the viral infection of Covid-19 such a cough, cold, fever, shortness of breath, respiratory problems. Some other symptoms are similar to stomach flu or food poisoning. COVID-19 positive patients with GI problems can recover slowly. The digestive symptoms may worsen as the patients get sicker.

Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19

Some patients with COVID-19 are facing only gastrointestinal or respiratory problems like colds, coughs, and fevers. Researchers have found that patients with a mild case of COVID-19 have symptoms affecting the digestive system. Some researchers have also found 3 to 79 percent of people with COVID-19 develop GI symptoms.

What are the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the coronavirus?

The GI symptoms that doctors have found in some Covid-19 affected patients are diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

According to some studies, COVID-19 can be present in the stool of patients and other common symptoms like respiratory problems can be absent.

There is a chance that this disease could be present in the stool first and then later it could affect the respiratory tract.

There can be underlying digestive issues that can put patients with Covid-19 at high risk as well.

●  If a patient with Covid-19 has variable immunodeficiency, then there could be chances that the patients can get viral infections in the gut. According to the doctor, the patient who suffers from inflammatory bowel disease could be in more trouble with the COVID-19.

● Some researchers have said that Diarrhea can commonly occur in people with COVID-19 symptoms. People with gastric distress can experience diarrhea as their first symptom once they get affected by Covid-19

●   The Covid-19 patients may suffer from the loss of taste or smell. According to the research, the Covid-19 attacks the human body via ACE2. ACE2 is a receptor, which presents in different organs in the body like lungs, nose, and mouth. This virus gets attached to the nasal membranes and enters the mouth. This leads to loss of smell and tastes.

●  Doctors have said that COVID-19 patients are losing their appetite, including other gastrointestinal symptoms. Moreover,

● Covid -19 positive patients are suffering from nausea, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal bleeding. According to research from BeijingTrust Source, vomiting is more common in children with COVID-19 symptoms than adults who have the Covid-19 virus.

However, in some patients, there are symptoms of diarrhea without other common symptoms, like a fever, cough, or cold. These patients are developing Diarrhea as the first symptom of COVID-19. According to doctors, flu symptoms may occur in the patient after diarrhea. However, some patients are developing GI symptoms without developing any other symptoms.

What to do if a patient develops GI symptoms

According to doctors and researchers, common Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, loss of appetite, or nausea, and gastric can occur in patients due to COVID-19. However, developing these symptoms doesn’t mean that the patient has COVID-19. However, one shouldn’t ignore these symptoms especially in this time when Covid- 19is spreading fast.

When to consult a doctor

If the patients develop mild symptoms, he/she can stay at home and avoid socializing.

If you doubt that you have developed GI symptoms due to Covid-19, then you can consult your primary care physician over the phone or video appointments. By doing so, you can avoid the risk of getting contact with any virus while getting the treatment. You can also reduce the spread of the virus.

You can treat the digestive symptoms of COVID-19 staying at your home by intaking enough water. Yes, staying hydrated and avoiding foods that upset your stomach is very important. Also, the patient should get enough rest.

Lastly, it is seen that patients with COVID-19 can develop gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Along with these symptoms, some patients develop other flu-like symptoms like fever and coughing. If you think the patients are not feeling well at home and developing breathing trouble, you should consult the specialist hospital designated for corona patients immediately.