COVID-19 FAQ

Are gastrointestinal problems part of the symptoms of COVID-19?

Research consistently shows that approximately 5-10% of adults with COVID-19 report gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Often, patients with gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 also experience more common upper respiratory symptoms that accompany COVID-19, such as a dry cough or difficulty breathing.

Can COVID-19 cause gastrointestinal symptoms?

Although respiratory symptoms predominate in the clinical presentation of COVID-19, gastrointestinal symptoms have been observed in a subset of patients. Notably, some patients present nausea/vomiting as the first clinical manifestation of COVID-19, which is often overlooked.

What gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are present in patients diagnosed with COVID-19?

The most common symptom is loss of appetite or anorexia. The second most common is pain or diarrhea in the epigastric or epigastric region (the area just below the ribs), which occurs in about 20 percent of people with COVID-19.

What are the uncommon symptoms of COVID-19?

Young people with milder symptoms of COVID-19 may develop painful, itchy sores or bumps on their hands and feet, research shows. Another strange symptom of the skin is « COVID-19 toes. » Some people experience swollen and burning red and purple toes.

Could diarrhea be the initial symptom of COVID-19?

Many people with COVID-19 experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, sometimes before fever and lower respiratory signs and symptoms.

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Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I have diarrhea?

If you have new gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, watch for fever, cough, or shortness of breath over the next few days. If you have these respiratory symptoms, call your doctor and ask if you should be tested for COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Patients with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body pain; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.

Are COVID-19 symptoms different in older adults?

Older adults with COVID-19 may not experience common symptoms such as fever or respiratory symptoms. Less common symptoms include new or worsening discomfort, headache or new dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell.

Additionally, more than two temperatures >99.0F may also be a sign of fever in this population. Recognition of these symptoms should prompt immediate isolation and further evaluation for COVID-19.

How long does it take for COVID-19 symptoms to start appearing?

People with COVID-19 report a wide range of symptoms – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID-19.

What are the possible symptoms of long-term COVID?

Symptoms range from brain fog to persistent fatigue, to chronic loss of smell or taste, to numbness to shortness of breath.

Will COVID-19 damage organs?

UCLA researchers are the first to create a version of COVID-19 in mice to show how the disease damages organs other than the lungs. Using their model, the scientists found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can turn off energy production in cells in the heart, kidney, spleen and other organs.

What are the most common symptoms of the delta variant of COVID-19?

Fever and cough are present in both types, but headache, sinus congestion, sore throat and runny nose all appear to be more common with the Delta strain. Excessive sneezing is also a symptom. Loss of taste and smell, considered hallmark symptoms of the original virus, may occur less frequently.

Which organ system is most commonly affected by COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that causes what doctors call a respiratory infection. It can affect your upper airways (sinuses, nose and throat) or lower airways (trachea and lungs).

What are the possible symptoms of long-term COVID?

Symptoms range from brain fog to persistent fatigue, to chronic loss of smell or taste, to numbness to shortness of breath.

How soon after recovery can a patient feel the effects of COVID-19?

Older adults and people with many serious medical conditions are most at risk of lingering symptoms of COVID-19, but even young, otherwise healthy people can feel sick weeks to months after infection.

How long can you remain infectious after testing positive for COVID-19?

If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms disappear, it is possible to remain infectious for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. People hospitalized with serious illness and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or more.

What are the lesser-known symptoms of COVID-19 for older adults?

A new study suggests that coronavirus patients — especially those over the age of 65 — may only have symptoms of delirium when they visit a healthcare facility, rather than the well-known symptoms of the virus, such as fever and shortness of breath.

What are some emergency COVID-19 warning signs to check with seniors?

• Difficulty breathing
• persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• new or worsening confusion
• inability to wake up or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

How is COVID-19 affecting the elderly population?

Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older adults are at great risk for severe illness if they contract the disease due to the physical changes that come with aging and underlying underlying health conditions.

What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

Even if you have mild symptoms like cough, headache, mild fever, stay home and self-isolate until you recover. Call your healthcare provider or hotline for advice. Let someone else bring you supplies. If you need to leave the house or someone is near you, wear a medical mask to avoid infecting others.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you can, call first and follow the directions of your local health authority.

Can I get COVID-19 if I have a fever?

If you have a fever, cough, or other symptoms, you may have COVID-19.

What are the signs of COVID-19 that require immediate medical attention?

• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• new chaos
• inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Who should get tested for COVID-19?

CDC recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

When should you get a confirmatory test for COVID-19?

Confirmatory testing should be performed as soon as possible after the antigen test and no more than 48 hours after the initial antigen test.

How does COVID-19 affect the body?

Viruses attack the body by directly infecting cells. With COVID-19, the virus primarily attacks the lungs. However, it can also cause your body to mount an overactive immune response, which can lead to increased inflammation throughout your body.