How to differentiate between COVID and
Coronavirus infection is not only limited to the respiratory system. It can affect several organs, right from the brain to the heart. Though most of the previous variants primarily affected the respiratory system, the Omicron variant is seen to be affecting the gut health of a person. Studies suggest that in most of the cases of the Omicron variant, the primary signs are not even related to the lungs. The unconventional symptoms of the Omicron variant also make it difficult to detect infectious diseases in the early stage.
The digestive system related signs seen during COVID-19 infection
As per a UK-based tabloid, Stealth Omicron or BA.2 variant affects the gut instead of the nose. That's why it leads to several digestive system related issues, instead of respiratory. It often leads to a false negative in the RT-PCR test as the virus cannot be traced in the swab collected from the nose or mouth. Six digestive system related symptoms of the coronavirus include:
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Heartburn
Bloating
How to differentiate the signs of Omicron with other stomach problem
Apart from these six common signs of the Omicron variant, several people suffering from coronavirus even complained about an acute stomach ache when infected with the virus. But the pain associated with the Stealth Omicron is usually felt around the middle of the belly. In addition to that, belly soreness can also be witnessed by some when suffering from coronavirus. The milder symptoms of coronavirus are always accompanied by other signs like headaches and fatigue. In some cases, the person may also experience the issues of sore throat and loss of appetite.
How to deal with stomach pain when suffering from COVID-19
If you have been tested COVID positive and are dealing with an acute stomach ache, experts suggest two things to handle the situation.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a healthy meal is paramount when suffering from COVID-19. But when suffering from stomach aches, try to have less spicy and greasy foods.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to remove toxins from your GI tract and keep yourself hydrated. It is particularly essential when suffering from diarrhoea as loss of water from the body can lead to dehydration.
Other symptoms of the Omicron variant
Being a subvariant of the Omicron virus, the BA.2 variant induced COVID leads to some common symptoms similar to those seen during the infection caused by its parent variant. Some the common symptoms of Omicron sub-variant are:
Fever
Extreme fatigue
Coughing
Sore throat
Sore head
Muscular fatigue
Elevated heart rate
Dizziness
When to call the doctor
Gastrointestinal tract issues are a telltale sign of COVID-19 and it should not be taken lightly. If you witness any stomach related issues and do not feel better within 48 hours, consult your doctor. It could be due to the Omicron variant of coronavirus. Other cases when you must contact your doctor:
Dizziness
Diarrohea
Belly pain
Fever
Shortness of breath
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