Is Diarrhea An Initial Symptom Of Covid
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus, not previously identified in humans, that is responsible for an outbreak of respiratory illness that became a global pandemic in 2020. COVID-19 is different from other coronaviruses that cause mild illness, such as the common cold.
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting may be initial symptoms of COVID infection, and can occur before fever and lower respiratory tract symptoms are present.
Other common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Changes in taste and/or smell
- Runny nose
- Congestion
Signs of COVID that require immediate medical attention :
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
What Can Diarrhea Be A Sign Of
Diarrhea involves loose or watery stools that may be associated with frequent bowel movements. This may be accompanied by bloating, abdominal pain, or cramps and at times nausea. Diarrhea is a common condition and usually goes away without intervention.
Diarrhea can happen because of many reasons:
- Viral infection
- Infection by bacteria and other organisms. The germs may cause pre-formed toxins in food.
- Allergies to certain foods
- Spicy or fatty foods
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bowel diseases such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis
- Hyperthyroidism
Living With Vomiting And Diarrhea
Vomiting and diarrhea usually dont last long. If its caused by an infection, vomiting and diarrhea are a way for the body to get rid of the infection. Giving medicines that stop vomiting and diarrhea may actually interfere with the bodys efforts to heal. Antibiotics are usually not necessary either. Talk to your family doctor if you or a loved one is frequently vomiting or having diarrhea.
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How To Prevent Diarrhea
While diarrhea may be a sign of an underlying health condition and may be unavoidable, there are steps you can take to avoid some of the causes.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent diarrhea is to wash your hands frequently. Be sure to wash your hands after using the bathroom, before preparing or eating food, before and after caring for someone who is ill, after touching garbage, and after touching an animal, animal feed, and animal waste.
If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 percent alcohol, per the CDC.
Another important way to prevent diarrhea in children is to get them vaccinated against rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea mostly in babies and young kids. The virus can also lead to vomiting, fever, and dehydration. The CDC recommends babies get their first dose of the rotavirus vaccine at 2 months old. The second dose should be administered at 4 months old, and the third, if needed, at 6 months old.
The rotavirus vaccine will protect babies from severe diarrhea caused by rotavirus and most babies will not get rotavirus diarrhea at all, the CDC says.
Finally, you can take steps to avoid traveler’s diarrhea by watching what you eat and drink while traveling abroad, especially in developing countries, and talking to your doctor before you leave about taking antibiotics as a precaution, notes the CDC.
What Can I Do To Feel Better
You’ll feel better if you stay well hydrated, so drink lots of water. Electrolytes are also lost and need to be replaced because the body cannot function properly without them. Try sipping broth or soup, which contain sodium, and diluted fruit juice , which contains potassium.
When you feel ready to eat something more substantial, try soft fruits or vegetables, which also contain potassium. Avoid milk products and fatty, high-fiber, or very sweet foods until the diarrhea eases. And don’t drink sports drinks or soft drinks â they contain electrolytes, but their high sugar content can make diarrhea worse.
As uncomfortable as diarrhea may be, it is usually short-lived. Drink enough fluids and follow your doctor’s instructions, and you feel better in no time.
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How Are Vomiting And Diarrhea Diagnosed
Vomiting and diarrhea can be diagnosed at home. Neither condition requires a trip to the doctor. However, call your doctor if the vomiting and diarrhea dont seem to be getting better, or if the person who is vomiting and/or has diarrhea:
- Is younger than 6 months old.
- Is older than 6 months old and has a fever higher than 101.4°F.
- Has signs of dehydration .
- Has been vomiting longer than 8 hours or is vomiting with great force.
- Has blood in his or her stools.
- Has blood in his or her vomit.
- Has not urinated in 8 hours.
- Might have swallowed something that could be poisonous.
- Has a stiff neck or bad headache.
- Is listless or unusually sleepy.
- Has had abdominal pain for more than 2 hours.
How Diarrhea Is Diagnosed
Many people experience diarrhea and do not go on to receive an official diagnosis as it often clears up on its own. Individuals who experience persistent or chronic diarrhea should seek medical attention so a doctor can diagnose the cause.
Tests for diarrhea include a blood test, a stool test, colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy, per the Mayo Clinic.
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Diarrhea: Is It Covid
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kenneth Knowles, MD on November 24th, 2020
Despite several months passing since the initial outbreak of COVID-19, there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the virus. This is largely due to the fact that not everyone who contracts the virus experiences the same symptoms. And while the CDC has formed a fairly comprehensive list of symptoms associated with the coronavirus, it can still be difficult to know whether certain symptoms are a direct result of COVID-19, such as diarrhea, or something else.
How Is The Cause Of Diarrhea Diagnosed
To find the cause of diarrhea, your health care provider may
- Do a physical exam
- Ask about any medicines you are taking
- Test your stool or blood to look for bacteria, parasites, or other signs of disease or infection
- Ask you to stop eating certain foods to see whether your diarrhea goes away
If you have chronic diarrhea, your health care provider may perform other tests to look for signs of disease.
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Diarrhea And Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms Of Covid
Some people with COVID-19 develop gastrointestinal symptoms either alone or with respiratory symptoms.
Recently, 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.
Another published by researchers in Beijing found that anywhere from 3 to 79 percent of people with COVID-19 develop gastrointestinal symptoms.
When Should I Call My Doctor About Diarrhea
If you have diarrhea that fails to improve or resolve completely, you should call your healthcare provider. Keep track of any other symptoms you may be experiencing this includes fever, vomiting, rash, weakness, numbness, lightheadedness, dizziness, weight loss and blood in your stool. If you have any concerns, its always best to call your healthcare provider.
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How Can I Prevent Diarrhea
Though some types of diarrhea, such as those due to other medical conditions, are unavoidable, infectious diarrhea can be prevented.
The most important way to avoid diarrhea is to avoid coming into contact with infectious agents that can cause it. This means that good hand washing and hygiene are very important.
Also, if you travel to developing countries, you should take the following precautions:
- Drink only bottled water, even for tooth brushing.
- Avoid eating food from street vendors.
- Avoid ice made with tap water.
- Eat only those fruits or vegetables that are cooked or can be peeled.
- Be sure that all foods you eat are thoroughly cooked and served steaming hot.
- Pre-packaged food is usually safe to cosume
- Never eat raw or undercooked meat or seafood.
- Obtain hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations prior to travel, if indicated for that region.
What To Do If You Have Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, or nausea can have many causes other than COVID-19. Experiencing any of these symptoms doesnât mean you have COVID-19, but they may be early warning signs.
You can treat the digestive symptoms of COVID-19 at home by staying hydrated, avoiding foods that upset your stomach, and getting as much rest as possible.
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How Is Diarrhea Diagnosed
To see if you have diarrhea, your healthcare provider will give you a physical exam and ask about your past health. You may also have lab tests to check your blood and urine.
Other tests may include:
- Stool studies including culture and other tests. This test checks for any abnormal bacteria in your digestive tract that may cause diarrhea and other problems. To do this, a small stool sample is taken and sent to a lab.
- Sigmoidoscopy. This test lets your healthcare provider check the inside of part of your large intestine. It helps to tell what is causing diarrhea. A short, flexible, lighted tube is put into your intestine through the rectum. This tube blows air into your intestine to make it swell. This makes it easier to see inside. A biopsy can be taken if needed.
- Colonoscopy. This test looks at the full length of your large intestine. It can help check for any abnormal growths, tissue that is red or swollen, sores , or bleeding. A long, flexible, lighted tube is put into your rectum up into the colon. This tube lets your healthcare provider see the lining of your colon and take out a tissue sample to test it. He or she can also treat some problems that may be found.
- Imaging tests. These tests can see if there are any problems with the way your organs are formed .
When Diarrhea Won’t Go Away
If you still have diarrhea after 4 weeks, then you have chronic diarrhea.
To figure out the cause, your doctor will want to know your symptoms and medical history. You’ll get the most out of your appointment if you can tell them:
- How long you’ve had diarrhea
- Whether your diarrhea comes and goes, or is continuous
- If you think certain foods and situations make things better or worse
- If your stool looks bloody, oily, fatty, or watery
- Other symptoms you have and how long youâve had them
- If you have a family history of chronic diarrhea
- Places you’ve traveled to recently
- Unusual foods you’ve tried in the last little while
- Any medication or supplements you’re taking
- If you’ve lost a lot of weight
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Treating Diarrhea At Home
Most cases of diarrhea can be treated with simple, at-home remedies, such as:
- Staying hydrated Dehydration is a serious concern for those with diarrhea. Children should be given Pedialyte or another pediatric hydration solution, while sports drinks like Gatorade can be effective for teenagers and adults.
- Taking medication An over-the-counter medication, such as Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, can help relieve symptoms.
- Eating a BRAT diet Bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast, aka the BRAT diet, help firm up stool and alleviate diarrhea symptoms. Stay away from fried, greasy, and high-fiber foods.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or are accompanied by a fever of more than 102°F, bloody or black stools, or severe abdominal pain, rectal pain, or dehydration, seek medical attention at an urgent care center such as PhysicianOne Urgent Care. Our facilities are open seven days per week with extended hours, and we can treat you promptly.
Black Or Tarry Stools
Stools that look black or like tar could be a sign that blood is coming from higher up in the digestive tract . This is never considered normal, even when it happens with diarrhea. For that reason, seeing black in the toilet that might be blood is a reason to call a doctor.
It may be necessary to run some tests to see if there is indeed blood in the stool and then to find out where that blood might be coming from in the digestive system.
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Other Causes Of Diarrhea
Of course, diarrhea can be related to many other conditions aside from COVID-19 and the flu. Unexpected diarrhea can be a result of a change in medication, food that has expired or that youre intolerant to, heavy exertion or exercises like running, and a variety of other scenarios. If youre experiencing diarrhea without any other symptoms, then theres a good chance that it is not due to COVID-19. However, this doesnt mean that you should ignore your bowel issues. Diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration, so its important that you take the right precautions and rehydrate. Water is a good way to replace fluids, but it doesnt contain salts and electrolytesminerals such as sodium and potassiumthat are essential for your body to rehydrate and function. Because of this, you should also try to consume beverages like fruit juices and sports drinks for potassium or broths for sodium. Since many fruit juices and sports drinks contain large amounts of sugar, you can consider mixing them with water. Make sure to contact your primary care physician before adjusting your diet while experiencing GI symptoms certain fruit juices, such as apple juice, can make diarrhea worse.
Is It Possible To Have Diarrhea With No Fever
Some people may experience diarrhea without other flu-like symptoms, like a fever. Diarrhea can be the first symptom of COVID-19.
In some cases, flu symptoms may come on after diarrhea. Some people may only experience gastrointestinal symptoms without developing any of the more common symptoms.
Research suggests that the virus that causes COVID-19 can enter your digestive system through cell surface receptors for an enzyme called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 . Receptors for this enzyme are 100 times more common in the gastrointestinal tract than the respiratory tract.
increased risk of developing some types of viral infections.
However, research hasnât yet found that people with IBD are more likely to develop COVID-19 than people without IBD.
New information about COVID-19 is emerging rapidly. As researchers collect more data, itâs possible that research will find that having IBD does increase your risk for developing COVID-19.
According to at an IBD center in Milan, people with IBD should take extra precautions to avoid the virus. These include:
- frequent handwashing
- covering your face when coughing and sneezing
- avoiding people with flu-like symptoms
- staying at home when possible
If you have IBD and have tested positive for COVID-19, speak to your doctor about whether you should stop taking certain medications.
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Favorite Support Groups For People Dealing With Diarrhea
While diarrhea usually lasts a day or two, chronic diarrhea can indicate a gastrointestinal condition like irritable bowel syndrome. The IBS Network can link you to groups in your community so you can meet others for support and tips on dealing with the condition.
This patient-led education organization provides information on gastrointestinal disorders like IBS diarrhea and IBD. The forum has discussions on the gut microbiome and the tried-and-tested remedies of diarrhea sufferers.
Diarrhea Is First Sign Of Illness For Some Covid
Some patients with COVID-19 experience gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly diarrhea, as the first sign of illness, according to a new study.
Among this subset of patients who have mild disease overall respiratory symptoms show up only later in the illness, and some never develop respiratory symptoms at all, the authors said.
The findings are important because those without classic symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, shortness of breath and fever may go undiagnosed and could potentially spread the illness to others, the researchers said.
Still, they note that digestive problems are common overall and don’t necessarily mean that a person has COVID-19. But doctors should recognize that sudden digestive symptoms in people with a possible COVID-19 contact “should at least prompt consideration of the illness,” the authors wrote in their paper, published ahead of print Monday in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. “Failure to recognize these patients early and often may lead to unwitting spread of the disease.”
Can people spread the coronavirus after they recover?
In the new study, the researchers analyzed information from 206 patients at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College in Wuhan, which was designated as a hospital for COVID-19 patients. To be included in the study, patients needed to have a mild illness, without difficulty breathing or low blood oxygen levels.
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Changes In Bowel Movements
Change in bowel movement is one of the common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. One might experience changes in regularity as well as duration of bowel movement. Not just bowel movements, it also disturbs daily life as it can lead to insomnia and poor sleep quality.
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Doctor’s Notes On How To Treat Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common condition that is characterized by frequent and loose bowel movements. Diarrhea that comes on suddenly is often due to a viral infection. Diarrhea that is persistent and lasts more than four to six weeks usually is a sign of an underlying problem with the gastrointestinal tract. Some conditions that cause chronic diarrhea include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Other causes of diarrhea can include infections food poisoning, and medication side effects.
Associated symptoms that often accompany diarrhea depend on the cause and include abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, bloating, feeling the need to urgently have a bowel movement, watery stool, or pus in the stool.
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