![]() SARS-CoV-2 is primarily transmitted by droplets, via coughing or sneezing, as opposed to transfer from surfaces, according to the CDC. The researchers in this study further noted that those with congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease were at highest risk for adverse outcomes including death. This underscores the need to evaluate GI symptoms- nausea, vomiting or diarrhea- as a potential presentation of COVID-19, prior to development of respiratory symptoms.Īt the same time, it’s also possible to realize that such symptoms could also be due to influenza or the common cold, emphasizing the importance of testing for COVID-19, as well as influenza and other common respiratory pathogens.īased on data from The WHO, nearly 1 in 6 persons who is diagnosed with COVID-19 will develop severe illness and respiratory compromise that may lead to the need for mechanical ventilation.Ī recent study of 21 elderly patients in Seattle early in the outbreak noted that 71% of patients ended up requiring mechanical ventilation, with 100% of these patients developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ![]() The take-away from this study is that COVID-19 patients diagnosed with GI symptoms had an adverse outcome and increased risk of death compared to those without GI symptoms. “Given that COVID-19 is found in stool, it's probably best to use meticulous hand hygiene and bleach/antiseptic wipes in shared bathrooms (if self- quarantined). If the luxury of a second bathroom exists, then one should be for exclusive use of the quarantined patient,” added Swaminath. Swaminath also qualified that “no patients with underlying bowel diseases were included, so we don't know how COVID-19 affects patients with underlying bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.” ![]()
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