Diarrhoea might be the first sign you're infected with the coronavirus

Though COVID-19 has been linked with other symptoms, medical experts explain that it is indeed possible to suffer from diarrhoea as a result of the virus.

'The virus can invade cells in the gut'

The three most common side effects of COVID-19 according to the NHS are a persistent cough, fever and the loss of taste and smell (anosmia). But over the course of the last year and a half, more and more symptoms have emerged, with diarrhoea now affecting 2% of those who test positive for the coronavirus. Experts at ZOE explain that:

We think Covid-19 causes diarrhoea because the virus can invade cells in the gut and disrupt its normal function.

They also explained that the likelihood of having gastrointestinal problems from COVID increases the older the patient is. It is typically an early warning sign of the virus and usually manifests itself on the first day of infection.

A greater risk of hospitalisation

In most adults who do get it, diarrhoea can last up to seven consecutive days, while others have claimed to have suffered from it sporadically during the totality of the infected period. Data has also showed that those who experience this symptom along with the more common ones are likelier to require hospitalisation. The ZOE project explains that:

Diarrhoea has also been associated with a greater risk of needing hospital support, particularly among people also reporting abdominal pain and unusual muscle pain.

Adding:

Covid-19 can be transmitted through poo and contaminated surfaces or hands. It’s critically important to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly clean bathrooms if you, anyone you live with, or someone you’re caring for has diarrhoea, to prevent the infection spreading