When Diarrhea Is More Serious Than You Think
This May Be The Most Overlooked COVID Symptom
In January 2020, a man who would become known as the first documented COVID-19 patient in the United States arrived at an urgent care clinic.
Two of his symptoms, a cough and a fever, were among those that would become known as the telltale symptoms of COVID. But the patient had also experienced two days of nausea and vomiting.
Many of us associate COVID with respiratory issues. But some people who get sick with the virus never experience a sore throat, coughing or body aches, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. Certain people end up feeling more like they have food poisoning than anything else.
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That's because coronavirus is "like throwing a bomb in your body," said Ken Cadwell, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania who studies how COVID affects the gut. "You're going to feel that in multiple different organs, not just the lungs."
With COVID cases climbing, and the so-called "FLiRT" variants fueling yet another summer spread, here's how to spot, and address, the lesser-known gastrointestinal symptoms.
Recognizing and Resolving Stomach Symptoms
In some people, gastrointestinal symptoms hit during the first few days of an infection, before they develop a fever and cough. But many people who only experience stomach symptoms "never think of it as COVID," Chin-Hong said.
Diarrhea is a common COVID-related gastrointestinal symptom, Chin-Hong said. People can also lose their appetite, and experience nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting.
COVID doesn't look the same every time you get infected, said Dr. Davey Smith, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Diego. You might have cold and flu symptoms during one bout of the virus, and gastrointestinal symptoms the next time. Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that reduces the risk of severe disease, can also cause diarrhea.
Hydration is important for anyone with COVID, but drinking enough fluids is critical if you experience diarrhea or vomiting. If you're struggling to hold food down, stick to bland foods like toast and bananas, said Dr. Adrienna Jirik, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic.
Those who share a bathroom can take steps to avoid contaminating the area with the viral particles in your waste, like opening a window to improve ventilation.
A Refresher on Other COVID Symptoms
The most common variants currently circulating appear to cause the same symptoms we've seen in other recent strains of the virus.
In addition to digestive discomfort, people commonly develop a sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, head and muscle aches, fever or chills, a cough and fatigue. In severe cases, they can struggle to breathe. While some people who get sick lose their sense of taste or smell, that symptom is far less common now than it was earlier in the pandemic.
Any of these symptoms can hit days after spending time with someone who has the virus. If you know you've been exposed, it's important to keep an eye out for all the symptoms, including gastrointestinal ones, Chin-Hong said.
"If everybody in your house has COVID and you have diarrhea, then you have to put two and two together," he said.
c.2024 The New York Times Company
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11 Red Flags Your Fever Is Something More Serious
11 Red Flags Your Fever Is Something More SeriousReader's DigestSkip to main content
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VGstockstudio/Shutterstock Your body's defense systemA normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit; when it hits 100.4 or above, you have a fever. Many times, a fever can be a sign that your immune system is functioning well. Your body heats up because it senses a foreign invader: "Bacterial, viral, or something else that's not supposed to be there," says Deborah Nunziato-Ghobashy, DO, family medicine physician at Scarsdale Medical Group. "The hypothalamus in the brain controls your body temperature and raises it to kill off anything that could be invading your body," she explains. "All those bacteria and viruses prefer a cozy 98.6-degree environment to keep on replicating. Once it's higher, it's too hot for them and they start to die off." Discover exactly what happens to your body when you have a fever. But what about those times your fever is a red flag for something more serious?
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Persistant feverIf your fever doesn't resolve within three days, you should see your doctor, says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. "At that point, you may require antibiotics. You have a fever of unknown origin, and your doctor will start to investigate to see what's wrong. Most likely it's an infection that can be found once a trained clinician takes a look at you."Also, check these cold sore remedies you didn't know you could make at home.
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Pain on the lower right side of your bellyIf you have a fever and you start to experience abdominal pain that starts around the belly button but within two hours moves to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen and becomes severe, those are signs you have appendicitis, says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. Appendicitis is typically confirmed with a CT scan and requires surgery to remove the appendix. If the surgery is not performed quickly enough, the appendix can burst and cause infection and even death. Here are some other causes for your lower abdominal pain.
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g-stockstudio/Shutterstock Low back pain and blood in the urineIf you have a fever accompanied by burning pain when you urinate, lower back pain, pelvic pain, blood in the urine, or urine that looks cloudy or smells funny, says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). When such an infection gets bad, you'll end up with a fever. Your doctor can take a urine sample to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, or bacteria—all signs of a UTI. Patients typically get medication for the pain as well as an antibiotic to eliminate the infection.
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LightField Studios/Shutterstock Sore throatStrep throat is a bacterial infection that's more common in children than adults. It can cause an intensely sore throat along with a fever and, sometimes, a headache and nausea. "You need to be treated with antibiotics," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. And you need to finish all the medication, even after your throat feels better, she warns. "Lingering strep bacteria can cause pericarditis, an infection of the heart valves, which is very serious."
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Digestive disorderIrritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease all can trigger an inflammatory response in the body—and that can raise your temperature. "Sometimes fever is the first sign," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. And if you alternate between constipation and diarrhea—common among patients with these disorders—the body can react to symptoms of dehydration and raise your temperature, she explains.
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Blood clotIf you have a blood clot in your leg, you may get a fever; you'll also notice tenderness and swelling in the area. "If the clot has moved toward your lungs, you'll have shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate besides the fever," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. A doctor will do a physical exam to check for swelling, and they may also order an ultrasound of the leg to see if there's a deep vein thrombosis—a clot that can break off and travel to the lungs—which can be deadly.
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Joint pain"Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can raise inflammatory markers in the body and cause you to have fevers," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. "Sometimes a fever that seems to have an unknown origin can be triggered by arthritis." You may also have joint pain and body aches. Typically the pain will be felt on both sides of the body and is worse in the morning. It will often be accompanied by insomnia.
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Breathlessness, exhaustionPneumonia inflames your lungs' air sacs, which may then fill up with fluid or pus, according to the American Lung Association. The infection can be viral or bacterial. Symptoms, in addition to fever and chills, can include cough with mucus, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Always see a doctor if you suspect you have pneumonia, especially if you are in a high-risk group: children two or younger, adults 65 or older, and people with a chronic health condition or weakened immune system. Asthma sufferers beware: your inhaler may be causing your pneumonia.
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Swollen neck, fatigueFever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, sore throat, and an enlarged spleen are the hallmark symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus, also known as mononucleosis. Common in childhood, less so among adults, it usually resolves in two to four weeks but can last for months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis with a blood test; treatment includes rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking OTC medications for pain and fever.
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Duangnapa Kanchanasakun/Shutterstock Skin infectionCellulitis is a common—and serious—bacterial skin infection that often appears on the lower legs but can turn up anywhere on the body or face. It occurs when bacteria infect a break or crack in the skin; at first, you'll see a swollen, red patch on the skin that is warm and painful to the touch. You may also get a fever, red spots, skin dimpling, and blisters. "The infection can spread quickly if not caught in time," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. Seek emergency care if you notice signs of cellulitis. The good news about that infection: it's one of the things you think are contagious but probably isn't.
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The stomach fluWith gastroenteritis—commonly called the stomach flu—your digestive tract is irritated and inflamed, usually because of a bacterial infection, virus, or parasites. You may experience fever, nausea, chills, vomiting, stomach cramping, and loose stools. Symptoms typically last from two to 10 days and go away by themselves. But if you have been vomiting for longer than two days, you notice blood in your vomit or stool, or you have signs of dehydration, the Mayo Clinic advises seeing a doctor immediately. Infants, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems also need to see a doctor right away.
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CancerA fever can accompany some cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, and kidney and liver cancers. "They cause an inflammatory response in the body," says Dr. Nunziato-Ghobashy. This is rare, she stresses, but something to pay attention to if you have a fever that persists. "If you can't find a reason for your fever, it's important to have somebody look to see professionally whether there is a reason."
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Persistent Low-Grade Fever: Common Causes And Signs When You Should Worry
A low-grade fever refers to a body temperature that is slightly above the normal level, which is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius. This can range from 99.1 to 100.4 F. In most cases, having a low-grade fever is a sign of an infection, which also indicates that the body is trying to fight the virus or bacteria that caused the infection. This type of fever is therefore accompanied by other symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, and mild sweating. Some people may also experience vomiting or dizziness.
If you're someone who is experiencing a low-grade fever or knows someone suffering from it, it is important to first determine the underlying cause and then seek treatment. Listed below are some common causes and times when you should seek immediate attention.
Also Read: Down With Fever? Avoid These Foods During And After A Fever
Flu, Common Cold, And Other Respiratory InfectionsRespiratory infections, such as the flu and common cold, can cause a low-grade fever. This occurs because the body's defence system detects the invading virus and initiates an effort to combat it. Other symptoms often include:
Another common infection that leads to a low-grade fever is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). It is a bacterial infection that occurs when bacteria that live in the vagina and other genital areas enter the urethra and travel to the bladder, leading to an infection. This infection is more common in women than in men. In fact, research suggests about 50–70% of women will have a UTI sometimes during their lifetime, of which 20–30% will have a recurrent UTI.
Chronic StressStress-induced fever, or psychogenic fever, is real and more common among young women, according to a 2015 research paper published in the journal Temperature. Unlike fevers caused by infections, stress-induced fever cannot be brought down by medications; rather, one may need to calm their mind and reduce anxiety. This is because stress might involve the nervous system, particularly the "fight-or-flight" response, and its influence on body temperature regulation.
Certain MedicationsInterestingly, certain medications can also increase body temperature and cause low-grade fever as a side effect. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with your doctor before starting any new medications. A review published in the paper Pediatric Pharmacotherapy even suggested that drug-induced fever can go away very quickly, typically within 72 hours, once the patient stops taking the medication.
VaccinationsLow-grade fever is a very common side effect of vaccination. Some of you may have experienced it after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. This is because when you get a vaccine, it introduces a weakened or inactive version of a virus or bacteria into your body. In response, your immune system creates antibodies to fight these foreign entities, leading to a low-grade fever. This is actually a good sign, as it means that your immune system is working hard and learning how to recognise and destroy the real virus if you ever encounter it in the future.
Also Read: Ask The Expert: Should You Avoid Eating Eggs During Fever?
When Should You Worry?One of the most worrying causes of a low-grade fever is cancer. This type of fever can be persistent. Common types of cancers that can lead to it include leukaemia, Hodgkin disease, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to Medical News Today. In addition, some people may also experience:
A low-grade fever can mean anything from infections to stress to more concerning health problems like cancer. Depending on the severity, duration, and associated symptoms, you can determine the underlying cause. However, a doctor is the most suitable person to diagnose your condition and lay out the course of treatment. Therefore, avoid taking matters into your own hands and get professional guidance.
[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, hence, we advise you to consult your doctor if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]
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