Gut symptoms linked to COVID-19 vary widely but can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and generalized abdominal pain.
In a recent study at the University of Alberta, researchers found that almost one in five patients with COVID-19 may only show gut symptoms.
They found that 18% of patients presented with such symptoms, while 16% of COVID-19 cases may only present with gut symptoms.
The finding suggests abdominal radiologists need to remain vigilant during the pandemic while imaging patients.
The study is published in the journal Abdominal Radiology. One author is Mitch Wilson.
There’s a growing amount of literature showing that gut symptoms are common for COVID-19.
In the study, the team examined findings from 36 studies published through July 15 to reach their conclusions.
In addition to gut symptoms, they also suggest potential signs radiologists should look for while conducting abdominal imaging that could be evidence of COVID-19 infection.
Those signs include inflammation of the small and large bowel, the air within the bowel wall (pneumatosis), and bowel perforation (pneumoperitoneum).
The signs are quite rare, said the researchers, and could indicate patients with advanced disease.
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