The actual name for the stomach flu is gastroenteritis. "Diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of water and electrolytes, which can lead to dehydration.". 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. (2020). A study, which was posted online by the University of Hong Kong and not yet peer-reviewed, found that while omicron is less severe in the lungs, it can replicate faster higher up in the respiratory tract. However, with the Omicron variant, Dr. Williams said more patients have been experiencing gastrointestinal system symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. "Omicron-associated infections are very mild and include throat issues, loss of appetite, and generalised weakness. Clinic expert explains gastrointestinal symptoms related While you may know coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) for the respiratory symptoms it causes, you may not know that you can also experience digestive symptoms. Congestion or runny nose. Some researchers argue Omicron may spare the lungs and cause milder disease because TMPRSS2 is more common on cells in the lower airways, but there are few data to support that, Peacock says. Shruti Gohil, M.D., an associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention at University of California Irvine Health, says that chronic nausea and vomiting are not primary symptoms for common colds or most flu cases you should consider those secondary potential root issues compared to food poisoning, or a COVID-19 infection. 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. Maybe it's COVID-19 or even food poisoning? The University Health Center explains the differences between these three common problems that can cause gastrointestinal issues. But Poehling and Omicron may also change the way the virus replicates or congregates in the body. She is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and currently lives in the Boston area. Learn what causes gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea and sulfur-smelling burps, and when to suspect COVID-19. In March, before Delta was detected and vaccines were widely available, 60% of UK adults ages 16 to 65 on the Zoe app reported loss of smell at some point in their illness. Can the rapid home tests detect this variant? It may be accompanied by cramping and bloating. Ouali S, et al. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are less common symptoms of COVID-19. This is especially true in younger kids, who may have tummy issues as their most prominent COVID symptoms. Switch to a clear liquid diet such as juice, broth or popsicles or a bland diet with foods such as bread, rice or applesauce, depending on what your stomach can handle. Get medical attention for your digestive and respiratory symptoms if you become significantly ill or dehydrated. You wake up one morning with nausea and diarrhea. I wouldn't give in and say Oh, we're all going to be infected. I would say that we should implement the mitigation strategies that we know are evidence based and do them on a regular basis," she said. and vomiting omicron Sore throats were often coupled with sinus congestion and headache, he added, followed by a cough a day or so later. SARS-CoV-2 can enter the digestive system directly in some cases, meaning it's possible for those who have become infected to experience gastrointestinal symptoms alone, according to Tufts' experts. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Many patients started out with a dry, scratchy throat that caused sharp pain when they swallowed. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. "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. In short, it's not completely clear. Unexplained bouts of nausea and vomiting may be a sign that your body is reacting to a COVID-19 infection caused by Omicron spread. Some people with COVID-19 develop diarrhea that is soft and yellowish or greenish in color. Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, head of Boston Mayor Michelle Wus COVID-19 Advisory Committee, and Dr. Cassandra Pierre, medical director of Public Health Programs at Boston Medical Center, joined Greater Boston on Thursday to encourage people not to throw in the towel. Given the potential for a shorter incubation period, Vanderbilts Schaffner advised that anyone who has been in contact with an infected individual get tested about 72 hours following the exposure. Omicron New Symptoms: Loss of Appetite, Vomiting And There is no hard and fast rule here.. Omicron Variant Symptoms | Last Updated January 2022 | U.S. Omicron is most likely to affect your upper respiratory tract, triggering things like sore throats, headaches, congestion and fever. Time to get involved and help public media make an impact. But, one should never forget that the virus infection can affect the body in many ways and it is important to understand the symptoms and spot them as early as possible. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) - Symptoms and causes Nausea or vomiting. Does Omicron cause more gastrointestinal symptoms or fatigue than other variants? Medications such as loperamide and diphenoxylate-atropine work by causing digested food to move more slowly through your intestines. Disinfectant spray or wipes. It offers a comprehensive look at how COVID-19 symptoms have changed over the course of the pandemic most notably, with the advent of the Delta and Omicron variants. "I've seen a lot more people reporting fatigue as one of their main symptoms," he said. Dont place any used toilet paper in the trash. But its still COVID-19, and it can still cause severe disease. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has caused case counts to explode across the nation and globe since its discovery shortly after Thanksgiving. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Related: Everything you need to know about the omicron variant right now. The 7-day average of daily new cases is 782,766, a 33.2% increase from the previous week.Get vaccinated as soon as you can & get a booster shot when you're eligible.More: https://t.co/FeTyQ7VQeP pic.twitter.com/nTbzyqPB5g. WATCH: Can we get the COVID-weary to care about safety again? Coronavirus symptoms, including symptoms of omicron, often overlap. A report from the CDC Instead, the focus is on other common treatments for diarrhea. If you have symptoms or a high likelihood of infection because of a known exposure, the FDA recommends following up a negative home test with a PCR test. increasing fluid intake to stay hydrated, using: eating bland foods, such as saltine crackers, toast, and applesauce. COVID or gastrointestinal illness? Why it's hard to know right now Are the symptoms between delta and previous variants any different? Kow C, et al. Cookie Policy. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Previous research, however, suggests thatvaccination can greatly reduce the riskfor long COVID-19. The post claims that the variant is five times more dangerous than the Delta variant, with a higher mortality rate and a quicker progression to extreme severity. So this disease could be present in the stool first and then later on present in the respiratory tract. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. According to the health experts, while most symptoms associated with the new COVID variants remain to be the same, there have been some new ailments reported in those infected with the Omicron, even in the fully vaccinated. "There is no definite way to tell early on what is causing your symptoms, however, diarrhea caused by COVID-19 tends to be more watery, yellow or green in color and may be accompanied by cramping and bloating. What Causes Concurring Vomiting and Diarrhea, and How Is It Treated? What has been widely recirculated are a few expert views based on an analysis of only a very small number of cases, OConnor said. However, if you become extremely dehydrated, develop sunken eyes, high fever or blood in your stools, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. In India, the first cases of the Omicron variant were reported from Karnataka on December 2, 2021. In the past week, the percentage of omicron cases in the United States rose from 13% to 73%. There is no evidence to support this claim. But with Omicron, patients with gastrointestinal problems are flaring up and having more symptoms. Symptoms: Admire said these symptoms can often show up: Lorsque vous utilisez nos sites et applications, nous utilisons des, authentifier les utilisateurs, appliquer des mesures de scurit, empcher les spams et les abus; et. See additional information. WebIn addition to other symptoms (like fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath), stomach upset can be a hallmark sign of COVID-19. To help reduce infecting others, close the toilet lid before flushing, clean the bathroom and toilet frequently and wash your hands thoroughly and often. Officials in Houston announced Monday that theunvaccinated man in his 50ssuccumbed to the virus. 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.". You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Dr. Julianne Burns, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Stanford Children's Health in California, says that symptoms of COVID this summer haven't differed too much from what she saw with Omicron in the winter and spring. Seasonal colds aren't More research is needed to. Read more about our fact-checking work here . ", While not usually associated with seasonal colds, nausea can be traced back to a myriad of other conditions everything from food poisoning to irritable bowel syndrome, dehydration to ulcers; even mental issues like stress. NOW WATCH: What coronavirus symptoms look like, day by day. Are nausea and vomiting omicron symptoms? | WGN-TV You could essentially be keeping the virus in your body and making yourself sick longer. Learn more >. The pair of symptoms aren't as common with other seasonal illnesses, which infectious disease specialists say should serve as a warning. Nausea and vomiting are both listed as COVID-19 symptoms by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the gastrointestinal symptoms are less common than respirato ry symptoms. Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. Mild, coldlike symptoms such as sore throats, sneezing, and runny noses were increasingly common. Some of these include: In one of the most interesting studies, experts revealed that some patients who were tested positive for the Omicron variant complained about night sweats. Other symptoms reported less frequently included nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, diarrhea and loss of taste or smell. If you look at South Africa, they seem to be doing much better now. COVID-19 omicron variant symptoms or the Food poisoning is caused by eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites.