Stomach ailments of coronavirus patients

Diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, paratyphoid, jaundice and similar water-borne and food-related diseases increase during summer and the rainy season. And this year there is the coronavirus pandemic too. This virus can attack the oesophagus, the stomach, the small intestine and the liver. So coronavirus can lead to diarrhoea or digestive problems too and so much caution should be taken in these times.

Persons infected with coronavirus develop diarrhoea during the initial stages of their illness, normally between the first to the eighth day. Bowel movements are loose and watery. This diarrhoea clears up within a few days. However, in some cases, it can last up till 14 days.

A coronavirus patient’s SGPT enzyme may increase, which can be harmful for the liver. Sometimes patients make matters worse by prescribing medicines for themselves. Antibiotics, anti-viral drugs and excessive medicines for fever and pain must not be taken without the physician’s advice.

The symptoms of viral hepatitis, typhoid, etc are almost the same – fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and nausea. One must be alert is such symptoms appear. In the case of fever or any such symptom, one must definitely test for coronavirus. It would be good take liver SGPT and typhoid tests too. That will then make it easier to take precautions in taking antibiotic or antiviral drugs.

No medication other than paracetamol is required for fever, and oral saline for diarrhoea. A coronavirus patient should have plenty of potassium-enriched fruits or fruit juice and plenty of liquids. If the faeces appear black in colour, a physician should be consulted immediately.

Khwaja Nazim Uddin is a medicine specialist