What should you know about a new COVID stomach bug?

Viral infections can affect the digestive tract as well as the airways. Gastroenteritis may cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, fever and loss of appetite. COVID-19 can also occur with digestive symptoms, sometimes alongside cough or other respiratory features, but the symptom pattern cannot confirm the infection. Food-related illness, medicines and other infections remain possible explanations.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, particularly after loose stools or vomiting. Eat light foods when you feel able and avoid alcohol. Wash hands carefully, clean shared bathroom surfaces and avoid preparing food for others while unwell. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicine, especially with fever, blood in stool or significant abdominal pain. Follow local advice about COVID testing if respiratory symptoms are present.

Get urgent help for severe or localised abdominal pain, blood or black stool, repeated vomiting with inability to keep fluids down, fainting, confusion or severe weakness. Seek prompt advice for very little urine, a dry mouth with dizziness, persistent fever, symptoms lasting longer than expected, or illness in a young child, older adult or person with a serious medical condition.

Ask whether you need COVID testing, how to replace lost fluids, which medicines are safe with your conditions, and whether stool testing or examination is needed.