Nausea with COVID-19: what to know

During COVID-19, inflammation, fever, reduced appetite, mucus swallowed from the throat, or changes in taste and smell can upset the stomach. Nausea may accompany diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, headache or fatigue. Food poisoning, gastroenteritis, gastritis, acid reflux, gallstones, hepatitis A, heat exhaustion and hypoglycaemia are other possibilities; the symptom alone cannot identify its cause. Recent medicines and dehydration can also worsen nausea.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, especially after vomiting. Choose small portions of plain foods when you can tolerate them, and avoid alcohol, heavy meals and foods that clearly trigger symptoms. Rest somewhere cool if fever is present. Keep track of urine, vomiting, diarrhoea, temperature and medicines. Do not start anti-sickness medicine without checking that it suits your health conditions and other medicines.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, green or bloody vomit, blood in stool, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt assessment is needed for very little urine, a dry mouth with marked weakness, persistent high fever, yellow skin or eyes, or symptoms of low blood sugar. Contact a clinician if nausea continues, returns repeatedly, or is affecting drinking and eating.

Ask whether your symptoms fit COVID-19 or another cause, whether a test or examination is needed, how to replace fluids, and which anti-sickness options are safe with your medicines and medical history.