Coronavirus new strain: Gastrointestinal symptoms may progress to severe disease
Coronavirus symptoms: Professor says range should be expanded
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The UK’s vaccination campaign was hailed an “extraordinary feat” by the Prime Minister at the weekend. Boris Johnson was referring to the government meeting its vaccination target of inoculating the top four priority groups by mid-February. Despite the optimism, the vaccine rollout is confronting an unforeseen obstacle – resistant variants of the virus.
Living with COVID-19 is becoming a reality and steps to minimise the threat will be necessary long after the general population has been jabbed.
A crucial part of the threat mitigation is to be cognisant of the full spectrum of symptoms.
Research suggests that different symptoms follow different trajectories, with some spelling worse outcomes.
Research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests gastrointestinal symptoms fall under this category.
According to the BMJ article, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms may be a “predictor” of progression to severe disease.
“Children may present with gastrointestinal symptoms more commonly than adults, particularly newborns and infants, and these may be the only symptom,” the article states.
According to the BMJ, gastrointestinal symptoms are reported in 20 percent of patients.
According to the research journal, prevalence of specific symptoms is as follows: loss of appetite 22.3 percent; diarrhoea 2.4 percent; nausea/vomiting nine percent; and abdominal pain 6.2 percent.
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“Gastrointestinal symptoms appear to be more prevalent outside of China, although this may be due to increased awareness and reporting of these symptoms as the pandemic progressed,” reports the BMJ.
How to respond to coronavirus symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.
You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.
A support bubble is where someone who lives alone (or just with their children) can meet people from one other household.
Can I treat my symptoms at home?
Most people with coronavirus (COVID-19) feel better within a few weeks.
You may be able to look after yourself at home while you recover.
According to the NHS, if you have a high temperature, it can help to:
- Get lots of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids (water is best) to avoid dehydration – drink enough so your pee is light yellow and clear
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you feel uncomfortable.
There have been some news reports of anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, making coronavirus worse.
The Commission on Human Medicines has now confirmed there is no clear evidence that using ibuprofen to treat symptoms such as a high temperature makes coronavirus worse.
You can therefore take paracetamol or ibuprofen to treat symptoms of coronavirus.
The NHS adds: “Try paracetamol first if you can, as it has fewer side effects than ibuprofen and is the safer choice for most people.”
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