If you’re ill and dismiss thoughts of COVID because it’s not flu-like symptoms, you could be wrong. Almost 1 in 5 patients with COVID-19 may show only gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a review of academic studies published in the journal Abdominal Radiology.
Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with COVID-19 vary widely but can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and generalized abdominal pain. "There's a growing amount of literature showing that abdominal symptomatology is a common presentation for COVID-19," said Mitch Wilson, a radiologist and clinical lecturer in the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
The findings suggest abdominal radiologists need to remain vigilant during the pandemic while imaging patients and look for signs that could be evidence of COVID-19 infection, such as inflammation of the small and large bowel, air within the bowel wall and bowel perforation.
Source: Newswise November 3, 2020