Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentWhen to Call a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Diarrhea is a symptom of COVID-19, even though COVID is generally considered a respiratory illness. It is a common digestive symptom, with diarrhea affecting 10% to 16% of all those diagnosed with COVID.
Watery diarrhea, or diarrhea that’s more green or yellow in color, often occurs withCOVID-19.GI symptoms present in rare cases even with no respiratory complaints, or before they emerge.So it may be worth taking a COVID test to confirm any infection and limit the viral spread.
COVID-related diarrhea usually clears up on its own as the infection resolves, but it can be a feature oflong COVID, in which COVID symptoms persist for more than 12 weeks after the infection has cleared.Some COVID treatments also can cause diarrhea.
M.A. Josephson / Getty Images
The severity and duration of COVID-related diarrhea can vary. While most cases are mild and self-limiting, there may, in rare instances, be severe cramping,rectal bleeding, andbloody stools.
Studies on COVID and diarrhea have found:
Diarrhea can become persistent in people with long COVID. A 2021 study reports that one in six people with long COVID experience diarrhea along with other GI symptoms.However, these GI symptoms tend to resolve fully (and faster) than many other long COVID symptoms even if intestinal flora imbalances persist.
Diarrhea Is a Symptom of COVID
COVID-19 and Pre-Existing Conditions: Understanding Your Risk
When COVID affects thedigestive tract, it can set off a chain of events that leads to diarrhea due to:
Other causes of COVID-related diarrhea include:
Symptoms of COVID-19
There are no specific guidelines for the treatment of COVID-related diarrhea.Mild infections are typically treated at home with a combination of diet, lifestyle changes, and home remedies.
There are things that may help if you have COVID-related diarrhea:
In the event of severe dehydration,intravenous (IV) fluidsmay need to be administered in a hospital to replace lost fluids andelectrolytes.
Antidiarrheal medications might delay clearing the virus from the gut. Therefore, before taking these drugs, ask a healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking them.
How to Manage a Mild Case of COVID-19 at Home
Whatever the cause, diarrhea should never be ignored if it is persistent or severe. Left untreated, diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and complications likeseizures,kidney failure,shock, or death.
Seek immediate medical care if you have any of the following symptoms:
Diarrhea can be especially dangerous in newborns and infants.Children, older adults, and people withcompromised immune systemsalso are vulnerable.
COVID-19 or Food Poisoning?Food poisoningand infections likegastroenteritis(stomach flu) can easily mimic the GI symptoms of COVID-19. With COVID, however, there will usually be other “classic” COVID symptoms like:FeverChillsDry coughSore throatShortness of breath (dyspnea)Muscle pain (myalgia)Loss of taste (ageusia)Loss of smell (anosmia)
COVID-19 or Food Poisoning?
Food poisoningand infections likegastroenteritis(stomach flu) can easily mimic the GI symptoms of COVID-19. With COVID, however, there will usually be other “classic” COVID symptoms like:FeverChillsDry coughSore throatShortness of breath (dyspnea)Muscle pain (myalgia)Loss of taste (ageusia)Loss of smell (anosmia)
Food poisoningand infections likegastroenteritis(stomach flu) can easily mimic the GI symptoms of COVID-19. With COVID, however, there will usually be other “classic” COVID symptoms like:
Summary
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mehta D, Kelkar R, Patel N, Trivedi PD, Dawoodi S, Patel D,et al.Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Cureus. 2023 Oct 14;15(10):e47028. doi:10.7759/cureus.47028Nebraska Medicine.Nausea and diarrhea? How to tell if it’s COVID, the stomach flu or food poisoning.Bogariu Am, Dumitrascu.Digestive involvement in the long-COVID syndrome.Med Pharm Rep.2022;95(1):5–10. doi:10.15386/mpr-2340Zhang T, Liu D, Tian D, Xia L.The roles of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19: did we miss something?J Microbiol Immunol Infect.2021;54(4):541–546. doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.10.005Megyari K, Dernovics A, Al-Luhaibi ZII, Rosztoczy A.COVID-19-associated diarrhea.World J Gastroenterol.2021;27(23):3208–3222. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3208Bisherhsari F, Adnan D, Deshmukh A, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms predict the outcomes from COVID-19 infection.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(2):e145–e148. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001513Han C, Duan C, Zhang S, et al.Digestive symptoms in COVID-19 patients with mild disease severity: clinical presentation, stool viral RNA testing, and outcomes.Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115:916–923. doi:10.14309%2Fajg.0000000000000664Weng G, Li Y, Li J, et al.Gastrointestinal sequelae 90 days after discharge for COVID-19.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol.2021;6(5):344-346. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00076-5Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ.Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations.Nat Rev Microbiol.2023;21(3):133–146. doi:10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2Schmulson M, Davalos MF, Berumen J.Beware: gastrointestinal symptoms can be a manifestation of COVID-19.Revista de Gastroenterología de México(English Edition). 2020;85(3):282–287. doi:10.1016/j.rgmxen.2020.04.001Xu J, Chu M, Zhong F, et al.Digestive symptoms of COVID-19 and expression of ACE2 in digestive tract organs.Cell Death Discov.2020;6:76. doi:10.1038/s41420-020-00307-wFood and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.Genentech.Actemra (tocilizumab).Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s approval of Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19—the science of safety and effectiveness.Blackett JW, Wainberg M, Elkind MSV, Freedberg DE.Potential long coronavirus disease 2019 gastrointestinal symptoms 6 months after coronavirus infection are associated with mental health symptoms.Gastroenterology.2022;162(2):648–650.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.10.040Hajifathalian K, Krisko T, Mehta A, et al.Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of 2019 novel coronavirus disease in a large cohort of infected patients from New York: clinical implications.Gastroenterology.2020;159(3):1137–1140.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.010Vespa E, Pugliese N, Colapietro F, Aghemo A.Stay (GI) healthy: COVID-19 and gastrointestinal manifestations.Tech Innov Gastrointest Endosc.2021;23(2):179–189. doi:10.1016/j.tige.2021.01.006Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 treatments and medications.MedlinePlus.Nausea and vomiting.Zhang X, Tang C, Tian D, Hou X, Yang Y.Management of digestive disorders and procedures associated with COVID-19.Am J Gastroenterol.2020:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728Kow CS, Hasan SS.The use of antimotility drugs in COVID-19 associated diarrhea.J Infect. 2021;82(2):e19. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.09.017Miller HJ.Dehydration in the older adult.J Gerontol Nurs. 2015 Sep 01;41(9):8-13. doi:10.3928/00989134-20150814-02MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.Ong J, Dan YY, Low JG.The atypical presentation of COVID-19 as gastrointestinal disease: key points for primary care.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(696):360–361. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X710705
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mehta D, Kelkar R, Patel N, Trivedi PD, Dawoodi S, Patel D,et al.Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Cureus. 2023 Oct 14;15(10):e47028. doi:10.7759/cureus.47028Nebraska Medicine.Nausea and diarrhea? How to tell if it’s COVID, the stomach flu or food poisoning.Bogariu Am, Dumitrascu.Digestive involvement in the long-COVID syndrome.Med Pharm Rep.2022;95(1):5–10. doi:10.15386/mpr-2340Zhang T, Liu D, Tian D, Xia L.The roles of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19: did we miss something?J Microbiol Immunol Infect.2021;54(4):541–546. doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.10.005Megyari K, Dernovics A, Al-Luhaibi ZII, Rosztoczy A.COVID-19-associated diarrhea.World J Gastroenterol.2021;27(23):3208–3222. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3208Bisherhsari F, Adnan D, Deshmukh A, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms predict the outcomes from COVID-19 infection.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(2):e145–e148. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001513Han C, Duan C, Zhang S, et al.Digestive symptoms in COVID-19 patients with mild disease severity: clinical presentation, stool viral RNA testing, and outcomes.Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115:916–923. doi:10.14309%2Fajg.0000000000000664Weng G, Li Y, Li J, et al.Gastrointestinal sequelae 90 days after discharge for COVID-19.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol.2021;6(5):344-346. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00076-5Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ.Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations.Nat Rev Microbiol.2023;21(3):133–146. doi:10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2Schmulson M, Davalos MF, Berumen J.Beware: gastrointestinal symptoms can be a manifestation of COVID-19.Revista de Gastroenterología de México(English Edition). 2020;85(3):282–287. doi:10.1016/j.rgmxen.2020.04.001Xu J, Chu M, Zhong F, et al.Digestive symptoms of COVID-19 and expression of ACE2 in digestive tract organs.Cell Death Discov.2020;6:76. doi:10.1038/s41420-020-00307-wFood and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.Genentech.Actemra (tocilizumab).Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s approval of Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19—the science of safety and effectiveness.Blackett JW, Wainberg M, Elkind MSV, Freedberg DE.Potential long coronavirus disease 2019 gastrointestinal symptoms 6 months after coronavirus infection are associated with mental health symptoms.Gastroenterology.2022;162(2):648–650.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.10.040Hajifathalian K, Krisko T, Mehta A, et al.Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of 2019 novel coronavirus disease in a large cohort of infected patients from New York: clinical implications.Gastroenterology.2020;159(3):1137–1140.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.010Vespa E, Pugliese N, Colapietro F, Aghemo A.Stay (GI) healthy: COVID-19 and gastrointestinal manifestations.Tech Innov Gastrointest Endosc.2021;23(2):179–189. doi:10.1016/j.tige.2021.01.006Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 treatments and medications.MedlinePlus.Nausea and vomiting.Zhang X, Tang C, Tian D, Hou X, Yang Y.Management of digestive disorders and procedures associated with COVID-19.Am J Gastroenterol.2020:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728Kow CS, Hasan SS.The use of antimotility drugs in COVID-19 associated diarrhea.J Infect. 2021;82(2):e19. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.09.017Miller HJ.Dehydration in the older adult.J Gerontol Nurs. 2015 Sep 01;41(9):8-13. doi:10.3928/00989134-20150814-02MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.Ong J, Dan YY, Low JG.The atypical presentation of COVID-19 as gastrointestinal disease: key points for primary care.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(696):360–361. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X710705
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mehta D, Kelkar R, Patel N, Trivedi PD, Dawoodi S, Patel D,et al.Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Cureus. 2023 Oct 14;15(10):e47028. doi:10.7759/cureus.47028Nebraska Medicine.Nausea and diarrhea? How to tell if it’s COVID, the stomach flu or food poisoning.Bogariu Am, Dumitrascu.Digestive involvement in the long-COVID syndrome.Med Pharm Rep.2022;95(1):5–10. doi:10.15386/mpr-2340Zhang T, Liu D, Tian D, Xia L.The roles of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19: did we miss something?J Microbiol Immunol Infect.2021;54(4):541–546. doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.10.005Megyari K, Dernovics A, Al-Luhaibi ZII, Rosztoczy A.COVID-19-associated diarrhea.World J Gastroenterol.2021;27(23):3208–3222. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3208Bisherhsari F, Adnan D, Deshmukh A, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms predict the outcomes from COVID-19 infection.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(2):e145–e148. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001513Han C, Duan C, Zhang S, et al.Digestive symptoms in COVID-19 patients with mild disease severity: clinical presentation, stool viral RNA testing, and outcomes.Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115:916–923. doi:10.14309%2Fajg.0000000000000664Weng G, Li Y, Li J, et al.Gastrointestinal sequelae 90 days after discharge for COVID-19.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol.2021;6(5):344-346. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00076-5Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ.Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations.Nat Rev Microbiol.2023;21(3):133–146. doi:10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2Schmulson M, Davalos MF, Berumen J.Beware: gastrointestinal symptoms can be a manifestation of COVID-19.Revista de Gastroenterología de México(English Edition). 2020;85(3):282–287. doi:10.1016/j.rgmxen.2020.04.001Xu J, Chu M, Zhong F, et al.Digestive symptoms of COVID-19 and expression of ACE2 in digestive tract organs.Cell Death Discov.2020;6:76. doi:10.1038/s41420-020-00307-wFood and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.Genentech.Actemra (tocilizumab).Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s approval of Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19—the science of safety and effectiveness.Blackett JW, Wainberg M, Elkind MSV, Freedberg DE.Potential long coronavirus disease 2019 gastrointestinal symptoms 6 months after coronavirus infection are associated with mental health symptoms.Gastroenterology.2022;162(2):648–650.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.10.040Hajifathalian K, Krisko T, Mehta A, et al.Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of 2019 novel coronavirus disease in a large cohort of infected patients from New York: clinical implications.Gastroenterology.2020;159(3):1137–1140.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.010Vespa E, Pugliese N, Colapietro F, Aghemo A.Stay (GI) healthy: COVID-19 and gastrointestinal manifestations.Tech Innov Gastrointest Endosc.2021;23(2):179–189. doi:10.1016/j.tige.2021.01.006Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 treatments and medications.MedlinePlus.Nausea and vomiting.Zhang X, Tang C, Tian D, Hou X, Yang Y.Management of digestive disorders and procedures associated with COVID-19.Am J Gastroenterol.2020:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728Kow CS, Hasan SS.The use of antimotility drugs in COVID-19 associated diarrhea.J Infect. 2021;82(2):e19. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.09.017Miller HJ.Dehydration in the older adult.J Gerontol Nurs. 2015 Sep 01;41(9):8-13. doi:10.3928/00989134-20150814-02MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.Ong J, Dan YY, Low JG.The atypical presentation of COVID-19 as gastrointestinal disease: key points for primary care.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(696):360–361. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X710705
Mehta D, Kelkar R, Patel N, Trivedi PD, Dawoodi S, Patel D,et al.Gastrointestinal Manifestations and Outcomes of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Cureus. 2023 Oct 14;15(10):e47028. doi:10.7759/cureus.47028
Nebraska Medicine.Nausea and diarrhea? How to tell if it’s COVID, the stomach flu or food poisoning.
Bogariu Am, Dumitrascu.Digestive involvement in the long-COVID syndrome.Med Pharm Rep.2022;95(1):5–10. doi:10.15386/mpr-2340
Zhang T, Liu D, Tian D, Xia L.The roles of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19: did we miss something?J Microbiol Immunol Infect.2021;54(4):541–546. doi:10.1016/j.jmii.2020.10.005
Megyari K, Dernovics A, Al-Luhaibi ZII, Rosztoczy A.COVID-19-associated diarrhea.World J Gastroenterol.2021;27(23):3208–3222. doi:10.3748/wjg.v27.i23.3208
Bisherhsari F, Adnan D, Deshmukh A, et al.Gastrointestinal symptoms predict the outcomes from COVID-19 infection.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(2):e145–e148. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001513
Han C, Duan C, Zhang S, et al.Digestive symptoms in COVID-19 patients with mild disease severity: clinical presentation, stool viral RNA testing, and outcomes.Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115:916–923. doi:10.14309%2Fajg.0000000000000664
Weng G, Li Y, Li J, et al.Gastrointestinal sequelae 90 days after discharge for COVID-19.Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol.2021;6(5):344-346. doi:10.1016/S2468-1253(21)00076-5
Davis HE, McCorkell L, Vogel JM, Topol EJ.Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations.Nat Rev Microbiol.2023;21(3):133–146. doi:10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2
Schmulson M, Davalos MF, Berumen J.Beware: gastrointestinal symptoms can be a manifestation of COVID-19.Revista de Gastroenterología de México(English Edition). 2020;85(3):282–287. doi:10.1016/j.rgmxen.2020.04.001
Xu J, Chu M, Zhong F, et al.Digestive symptoms of COVID-19 and expression of ACE2 in digestive tract organs.Cell Death Discov.2020;6:76. doi:10.1038/s41420-020-00307-w
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first oral antiviral for treatment of COVID-19 in adults.
Genentech.Actemra (tocilizumab).
Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s approval of Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19—the science of safety and effectiveness.
Blackett JW, Wainberg M, Elkind MSV, Freedberg DE.Potential long coronavirus disease 2019 gastrointestinal symptoms 6 months after coronavirus infection are associated with mental health symptoms.Gastroenterology.2022;162(2):648–650.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.10.040
Hajifathalian K, Krisko T, Mehta A, et al.Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of 2019 novel coronavirus disease in a large cohort of infected patients from New York: clinical implications.Gastroenterology.2020;159(3):1137–1140.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.010
Vespa E, Pugliese N, Colapietro F, Aghemo A.Stay (GI) healthy: COVID-19 and gastrointestinal manifestations.Tech Innov Gastrointest Endosc.2021;23(2):179–189. doi:10.1016/j.tige.2021.01.006
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 treatments and medications.
MedlinePlus.Nausea and vomiting.
Zhang X, Tang C, Tian D, Hou X, Yang Y.Management of digestive disorders and procedures associated with COVID-19.Am J Gastroenterol.2020:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000728
Kow CS, Hasan SS.The use of antimotility drugs in COVID-19 associated diarrhea.J Infect. 2021;82(2):e19. doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2020.09.017
Miller HJ.Dehydration in the older adult.J Gerontol Nurs. 2015 Sep 01;41(9):8-13. doi:10.3928/00989134-20150814-02
MedlinePlus.Diarrhea.
Ong J, Dan YY, Low JG.The atypical presentation of COVID-19 as gastrointestinal disease: key points for primary care.Br J Gen Pract.2020;70(696):360–361. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X710705
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