We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. People with weakened immune systems and older individuals may be more susceptible to this type of infection. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Respiratory infections in general may cause people to produce more phlegm as they cough; swallowing that phlegm can then also irritate and upset the stomach. These symptoms often respond well to at-home treatments. Cough, fatigue, congestion, and a runny nose were the most commonly reported symptoms. The omicron subvariant of COVID-19, BA.5, became one of the dominant strains of the virus in the fall of 2022 in the U.S. At that time, it was the most easily spread strain to date and is able to evade immunity from COVID infection and vaccination. We're still seeing the usual list of symptoms that we would expect with COVID-19: fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and then loss of smell and taste. Its more common in women than in men. Diarrhea. Food poisoning is caused by eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Nausea or vomiting may also be more common in breakthrough cases caused by Omicron. If there are differences, theyre probably fairly subtle.. You experience this symptom because your stool doesnt travel at an expected rate to become more solid. An estimated 9 percent of people who develop COVID-19 may even have diarrhea as a first symptom. Let your doctor know if your symptoms are accompanied by: There are medications and lifestyle changes that can help you alleviate nausea and other symptoms. Shutterstock Other research has found that milder gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and loss of appetite might indicate a milder COVID case, which seems to be more common with breakthrough Omicron. Related story - COVID-19: Omicron May Be Milder, But Variant Can Still Lead To Long-Term Symptoms, Fauci Says; Since Omicron's emergence, a series of studies as well as anecdotal evidence from those infected, have provided a set of symptoms, with a cough, runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue among the most common, with others, including loss of taste and smell, muscle aches and headache, also . Drinking to excess can cause inflammation in the stomach and digestive symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The CDC says to look for emergency warning signs for coronavirus. They include impacted stool, postsurgical adhesions, and tumors. You can get it from close contact with people or contaminated surfaces. Abdominal migraine is a subtype of migraine which includes diarrhea as a symptom. There is no cure, but dietary changes and medication can help. It could also be a way to tell you're dealing with COVID-19 and not a seasonal cold. Some triggers for this condition include caffeine, cheese, or chocolate. Diarrhea and Sulfur Burps: Stomach Bug, Food Poisoning, or COVID-19? "Recognizing characteristics of nausea and vomiting can raise suspicion of COVID-19, leading to early testing and diagnosis of the disease, and help people fight the virus in the long run," they wrote at the time. What to eat with an upset stomach (plus 6 things to avoid), 7 strange symptoms of COVID-19, including rashes, COVID toes and hair loss. If you are nursing a baby, dehydration will reduce your milk supply, notes Barajas. The most common Covid symptom was loss of appetite, which affected 24 per cent of patients, according to the study published in theLancetmedical journal. Yang X, et al. Johnson and Campbell note that there have been some reports of higher rates of upper respiratory tract symptoms with omicron, including sore throat and nasal congestion. You wake up one morning with nausea and diarrhea. However, the new strain has caused some previously-unreported symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. This can happen if antibiotic therapy throws off the balance of good and bad bacteria in your intestinal tract. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Abdominal pain. Loss of appetite. From the beginning, people with coronavirus were experiencing fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. BA.2 appears to be more transmissible than the original version of Omicron, BA.1. Is Excessive Burping Something to Worry About? Nausea and vomiting are both listed as COVID-19 symptoms by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but gastrointestinal symptoms are less common than respiratory symptoms. But most people who developed COVID-19 and diarrhea reported they first had symptoms that included a fever and cough. RELATED: The top symptoms with Omicron infections, according to a ZOE study, are . Avoiding these foods may help reduce or eliminate attacks. scientific studies and medical journals. If your stomach symptoms begin to move into other commonly reported signs of the virus such as fever, chills, sore throat, headache, or runny nose, Gohil says it's more likely you've been infected with the coronavirus. Rates of #COVID19 cases remain high & are rising rapidly in many parts of the U.S. Thats why turning your head or body in a moving vehicle can instigate an episode of motion sickness. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Since the Omicron variant was detected last December, it is associated with 60% of the cases detected in recent weeks worldwide. Last medically reviewed on April 26, 2019. Some prescription medications may cause vomiting and diarrhea as side effects. View complete answer on covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov Crohns disease is a chronic type of inflammatory bowel disease. Sore throat. To keep up good hygiene and prevent transmission, take the following steps: The following are some frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and diarrhea. Muscle or body aches. Diarrhea. The World Health Organization announced in February that an advisory group was paying close attention to real-world data out of South Africa, the United Kingdom and Denmark, which suggested that BA.2 did not cause more severe disease than BA.1. Post-COVID conditions can include a wide range of ongoing health problems; these conditions can last weeks, months, or years. To distinguish Covid-related fatigue from general weariness or exhaustion, pay attention to whether it comes on more suddenly, Dr. Pekosz said. Headache. The data also showed that, although children tended to have mild symptoms, they were 20 percent more likely to be hospitalized during the Omicron wave compared with the first wave. The variant has also caused other concerns due to its high transmission rate. It was in the lung. Strange as it sounds, you may want to consider not taking antidiarrhea medications too soon. Lighter. An estimated 20% of COVID-19 patients are likely to experience diarrhea soon after coming down with the coronavirus, according to the health system. People with Omicron may report symptoms like nausea more often because loss of smell is less prevalent with the new variant, said Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This means we still need to be vigilant to minimise the death and . Diarrhea. The review's authors speculate that the gastrointestinal issues typically reported with the virus may result from inflammation infection causes in the body, Good Housekeeping reports. Were still in a pandemic, he said. Of the. If so, make sure to stay hydrated if you experience these symptoms, and talk to your doctor about strategies for alleviating discomfort. Gastroenteritis can be caused by viral, bacterial or parasitic infections, but is commonly caused by the norovirus. New loss of taste or smell. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). "This list of potential issues is long, but your doctor can work through it fairly easily after talking [about] your history and examining you if necessary.". While its unpleasant to think about, failure to practice good hygiene methods could mean you transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others via your stool. Colon cancer, lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and some other types may cause gastric symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. It contains loperamide, which works by decreasing muscle contractions in your GI tract. Headache. increasing fluid intake to stay hydrated, using: eating bland foods, such as saltine crackers, toast, and applesauce. Their data indicates that the five most reported Omicron symptoms are the same as those associated with Deltasymptoms that may be confused with the common cold, including runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing, and sore throat. Diarrhea. Some encouraging, emerging research shows that Omicron may cause less damage to the lungs, resulting in less severe disease than previous iterations of the virus. Studies reveal people infected with the Omicron BA.2 show gut-related symptoms.On being infected, patients are complaining of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating These include: Nausea and vomiting often occur during the first 16 weeks, when hormonal changes are taking place. Nausea or vomiting; Diarrhea; RELATED: Signs You Need to Lose "Visceral Fat" 5. With the BA.2 variant, sometimes called stealth Omicron, driving a surge of cases in Europe, people are eager to distinguish the symptoms of Omicron from those of other coronavirus variants, including Delta. Is Nausea a Sign of a COVID-19 Infection? Heavy metals include: Symptoms vary based on the toxin. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), based in the US, has now said people with Covid can have a wide range of symptoms. Meanwhile, blood in the poo was a very rare side-effect that was reported by just two patients. COVID-19 diarrhea can cause green stool by the way it causes yellow stool (lack of fat breakdown). Symptoms to look out for with Omicron include: Shortness of breath Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea Body aches Fever or chills Loss of taste and smell Fatigue Sore throat Congestion What order. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. (2021). All Rights Reserved. Lactose malabsorption can cause symptoms such as: Your doctor can diagnose lactose intolerance with a hydrogen breath test. A Top Derm Explains, 35 of the Smartest Fast-Food Choices You Can Make, Easy Brain Exercises to Boost Your Memory, Why We Should All Be Eating More Buckwheat, COVID-19 Emergency Funding Is Coming to an End. 2022 Galvanized Media. Zee Krstic is a health editor for Good Housekeeping, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Peter Gulick, DO, an associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, told Verywell that the symptoms of Omicron mainly remain in the upper respiratory tract and can include a sore throat, congestion, runny nose and headache. Congestion or runny nose. In December, three separate research teams concluded that the variant was less likely to send patients to hospitals. In a study of 90 people who had developed COVID-19 and diarrhea, the people reported that their symptoms lasted an average of 5 days. If you have COVID-19, you will likely develop other symptoms within a day or two such as fever, cough, congestion and/or loss of taste and smell.". Dr. Gohil adds that it's possible that an Omicron-fueled COVID-19 infection may kick off with gastrointestinal symptoms before moving into one or more symptoms. Vaccine effectiveness & Omicron We've listed out 20 causes, including symptoms, treatments, and home remedies. We avoid using tertiary references. But having head pain can also be a sign of so many different problemsmany being a. Vomiting, diarrhea, or both are the result. If youve developed COVID-19, you may have diarrhea alone as a symptom. Here are some of the possible causes. "Determining the exact cause early on is not always that cut and dry.". Mayo Clinic Staff. "So if you're feeling at all under the weather, please make sure that you get a test, make . These include some antibiotics. But when your stool goes too fast, the fats remain. Authors behind the same 2021 COVID-19 review argue that both healthcare professionals and the public should be more cognizant of nausea during the pandemic. People should also be aware that diarrhoea is not just a possible symptom of Covid but also features in numerous medical conditions. Crohns disease is typically treated with prescription medications. Other prescribed medications can also cause these symptoms to occur. If you suspect heavy metal poisoning, your doctor will run tests and try to identify the toxin so you can eliminate it from your environment. Your digestive system can be adversely affected by fear, stress, or anxiety. Individuals experiencing food poisoning can be contagious through fecal matter or saliva for up to 48 hours. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or dry heaving. More healthcare professionals are noticing an influx of COVID-19 patients reporting feeling nauseous and queasy or have uncontrollably vomiting as a primary symptom. (2020). While the Omicron variant of the coronavirus can cause the classic symptoms of Covid-19 - fever, persistent headaches, and a loss of smell or taste, it can also cause the symptoms of a traditional cold. If you experience these symptoms for extended periods and can't determine why or if they shift into other respiratory issues the best solution is to seek out a COVID-19 test. daily newsletter. Those who have developed COVID-19 with symptoms that include diarrhea typically have more severe symptoms than those who dont. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Omicron cases on the . nausea poor appetite abdomen pain vomiting Sometimes, medications used for COVID-19 treatment, such as the antivirals baricitinib ( Olumiant) or remdesivir ( Veklury ), can cause you to have an. . This can lead to dehydration. Kow C, et al. "Nausea and diarrhea are symptoms that can have a number of causes that include COVID-19, the stomach flu or food poisoning," says Ashley Barajas, FNP, Nebraska Medicine nurse practitioner. Symptoms also seem to start earlier - around three days after infection rather than five days or so with the Delta variant. These hormones signal your intestines to empty. You May Have Cold-Like Symptoms, Especially if You Are Vaccinated iStock Many people are reporting cold-like symptoms come with Omicron, particularly among the vaccinated or boosted. Dr. Gohil explains if nausea is the only symptom you're experiencing, a call or a visit to your primary healthcare provider could be the only way to determine what exactly is causing you to be sick. While it may be more common to experience a cold-like sore throat during an Omicron infection, experts stress that all known COVID-19 symptoms are a possibility for those impacted by Omicron including one specific symptom that may be initially misguiding during the winter season. Most South Africans have already been infected with Covid-19, and the median age in South Africa is 27 both of which might cause the variant to have milder effects there than in the U.S., where the median age is 38, Dr. Yang said. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Your watery stool can indicate youre losing quite a bit of your bodys water via your stool. Read More What are the different symptoms doctors are seeing with omicron BA.2 cases? Diarrhea causes loose, watery stools or a frequent need to have a bowel movement. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". . Anyone can read what you share. The virus can infect some cells in a patients gastrointestinal tract, which would lead to stomach issues like diarrhea, Dr. Pekosz said. How to tell if it's COVID, the stomach flu or food poisoning, Learn more about what to eat with an upset stomach. In some instances, prescribed medications may be necessary. headache or fatigue. It gets worse throughout the day. While weve already discussed treatment for each condition, a few home remedies can also help reduce diarrhea and vomiting symptoms, including: Since diarrhea and vomiting can have many causes, its important to seek medical help if your symptoms dont improve or worsen. Sometimes, early mild symptoms can develop into serious symptoms later, so its crucial that people with cold or flulike symptoms be tested and stay home. A report from the CDC released in mid-December analyzed a small number . Sometimes this triad of symptoms means youre going into preterm labor. 9 Omicron COVID-19 Symptoms You Can't Miss, How to Best Alleviate COVID-19 Symptoms at Home. Symptoms vary based on the underlying virus but typically include: Gastroenteritis usually clears up on its own within a few days. The four most common symptoms of the omicron variant . Abdominal pain is the main symptom of a peptic ulcer. Other symptoms include: Treatment may include lifestyle changes, antibiotics, and acid blockers. This can range from a slightly blocked nose to breathing difficulties, with the latter needing urgent medical attention. Another thing to consider is that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via fecal-oral routes. diarrhoea or vomiting. Heavy metal poisoning is caused by the accumulation of toxic amounts of heavy metals in the bodys soft tissue. It is important to remember that this is not the only symptom with common signs being fatigue, breathing issues, muscle and body aches as well as headaches or a sore throat. You think you may have a stomach bug, but it's hard to know for sure. Vomiting and diarrhea are early warning signs for this condition. After quickly spreading to become the dominant strain over Delta, the highly transmissible version of the virus has also stood out for its ability to cause mild breakthrough infections. Symptoms include: In most instances, these symptoms are mild and resolve on their own within one to two days. Nausea and diarrhea? Some of these symptoms are normal and similar to what we see with other types of infections, while others are not. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. An itchy throat can happen with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea or diarrhea. Staying hydrated is even more important if you are pregnant to avoid dehydration and nutrient deficiency.