Diarrhea is a symptom of COVID-19, even though COVID is generally considered a respiratory illness.
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Symptoms
The severity and duration of COVID-related diarrhea can vary.
Studies on COVID and diarrhea have found:
Diarrhea can become persistent in people with long COVID.
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Causes
Diarrhea is a symptom of a COVID infection itself.
Antidiarrheal medications might delay clearing the virus from the gut.
Therefore, before taking these drugs, ask a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking them.
COVID-19 or Food Poisoning?
Food poisoningand infections likegastroenteritis(stomach flu) can easily mimic the GI symptoms of COVID-19.
Psychological distress and certain medications used to treat COVID can also cause digestive symptoms.
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