COVID-19 Might Hurt the Gut Feelings

Stomach pain that might occur 2-14 days after exposure to the COVID-19 virus can impair the immune system and lead to complications if left untreated.

Stomach ache is likely to be one of the few common symptoms of COVID-19 infection. The other symptoms are fever, sore throat, and runny nose vary from person to person.

The appearance of COVID-19 symptoms in the body depends on the way the host's immune system reacts to the pathogen.

Cytokines - Part of Body's Defence System
Cytokines are chemical signaling molecules produced by immune cells of our body and help cells in the human body to communicate with each other. They are involved in inducing immune response and growth regulation.

‘COVID-19 can cause stomach pain along with other gastrointestinal issues.’

A recent study showed that 1 in 5 people who tested positive for COVID-19 had at least one gastrointestinal symptom, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain. Of those hospitalized, 25.9% had gastrointestinal issues.

"COVID-related abdominal pains are a generalized pain around the middle of the stomach. You might feel sore all around the stomach area," says ZOE COVID Study.

Stomach pain usually occurs in the first few days of illness and tends to go quite quickly (within one or two days). They also occur along with fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and loss of smell.

Coronavirus
Coronaviruses infect animals, humans, and birds. Human coronaviruses, such as SARS, MERS, and 2019-nCoV cause respiratory distress and even death. The S protein is the infectious agent of the virus.

COVID-19 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal symptoms also had an adverse outcome and increased risk of death compared to those without the symptoms.

This underscores the need to evaluate GI symptoms as a potential presentation of COVID-19, before the development of respiratory symptoms.

Post-COVID-19 Food Habits for Quick Recovery
Post-COVID-19 recovery needs healthy foods to overcome the after-effects of strong medication and the psychological trauma you went through.

COVID-19 disrupts angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activity and infects the intestinal epithelium by inducing cytotoxicity, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.

When COVID-19 particles leave an infected cell, it triggers the release of cytokines, small proteins that play a role in inflammation. This process may cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

COVID-19 Booster Dose Alters Taste Sensation In Mouth
The third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (booster dose) brings about an intense metallic taste in the mouth that can last for days.

Though COVID-19 is mainly characterized by respiratory tract manifestations, gastrointestinal symptoms should not be neglected.

Source-Medindia