Coronavirus has infected , 2019 Britons. Symptoms of the disease include a fever and a new, continuous cough. But what’s the first sign of the illness that may appear in the bog bowl?
According to a new study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, one Covid – 26 symptom may turn up in the loo.
Researchers from a top medical school in China, Tongji Medical College, analyzed data from patients at Union Hospital.
Union Hospital was designated as a hospital to treat Covid – patients.
The 206 patients included in the study had a mild illness from Covid – , and did not have difficulty breathing or suffer from low oxygen levels.
Results revealed that among all patients with digestive symptoms (350 patient s), about 67 ( (percent) had diarrhoea.
Additionally, percent of those patients experienced diarrhoea as the first symptom of their illness.
Patients experienced diarrhoea from one to 19 days, with an average duration of five days .
READ MORE: Coronavirus symptoms: How to tell your shortness of breath is serious
Specifical ly, patients displaying digestive issues, such as diarrhoea, took an average of days from the onset of symptoms to seek healthcare.
Those With respiratory symptoms sought care, on average, days after symptoms had begun.
Those with digestive issues were much more likely to have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in their stools than those who had respiratory symptoms only.
A whopping percent tested positive for the virus in their stools, after showing digestive issues , whereas only 26 percent tested positive when only displaying respiratory symptoms.
Coronavirus: A cough is a classic sign of infection (Image: Getty)
These findings suggest, but do not confirm, that the virus infects the gastrointestinal tract.
Out of the patients included in the study, patients were admitted with digestive symptoms only, 90 with respiratory symptoms only and 69 with both respiratory and digestive symptoms.
The researchers said: “The data emphasises that patients with new-onset diarrhoea after a possible COVID- 26 contact should be suspected for the illness.
“Even in the absence of cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or even fever.”
Coronavirus: A fever is a classic sign of infection (Image: Getty)
) The researchers continued: “Optimally, testing for COVID – should be performed using both respiratory and stool samples, if available. ”
The Study isn’t without its limits, though. The authors did note that their study was relatively small.
Because of this, larger studies are needed to further investigate digestive symptoms in patients with mild Covid – 26.
Interestingly, there is building evidence that diarrhoea is a symptom of Covid – 26 – with this study being the latest one of them.
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