Wanted to check and see if anyone knew someone that had Covid where diarrhea was one of the symptoms.

Been dealing with some pretty intense diarrhea since Saturday night which is abnormal for me. Not as intense as a bad case of food poisoning but has definitely lasted longer.

I've known two people who've had Covid (both in New York), and neither had diarrhea as a symptom. They were more body ache / fever for 3-4 days.

I'm a 34 year old male in pretty good health, so not too worried about it either way, but also thought it'd be nice to get some more info in case anybody on here had some info.

Got tested once before (about 6 weeks ago) because someone at work had it that I briefly came into contact with. I was negative then. Not looking forward to the prospect of another nasal swab.

Don't really have other symptoms. Little bit light headed / fatigue, but thinking that could be from fluid loss as well. Trying to stay loaded up on gatorade and h20.

Thanks!

One of my friends who had Covid had terrible diarrhea.

Two other friends who had Covid had no diarrhea, but they ended up much sicker and in ICU. While my friend with the terrible diarrhea didn't have to be admitted to the hospital. So, you have that going for you...

You had two friends who ended up in the ICU? How old were they? I only know one person who thinks he got it and even he tested negative. Most of my friends live in NYC, Seattle and Washington DC, all areas that have been hit hard.

T dizl televizl said:

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Wanted to check and see if anyone knew someone that had Covid where diarrhea was one of the symptoms.

Been dealing with some pretty intense diarrhea since Saturday night which is abnormal for me. Not as intense as a bad case of food poisoning but has definitely lasted longer.

I've known two people who've had Covid (both in New York), and neither had diarrhea as a symptom. They were more body ache / fever for 3-4 days.

I'm a 34 year old male in pretty good health, so not too worried about it either way, but also thought it'd be nice to get some more info in case anybody on here had some info.

Got tested once before (about 6 weeks ago) because someone at work had it that I briefly came into contact with. I was negative then. Not looking forward to the prospect of another nasal swab.

Don't really have other symptoms. Little bit light headed / fatigue, but thinking that could be from fluid loss as well. Trying to stay loaded up on gatorade and h20.

Thanks!

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Get some imodium

Gumby said:

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You had two friends who ended up in the ICU? How old were they? I only know one person who thinks he got it and even he tested negative. Most of my friends live in NYC, Seattle and Washington DC, all areas that have been hit hard.

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All three friends are in early 40's. The two who ended up in ICU are married. They still have no idea how they caught it. Hadn't been on any trips, had no known exposures, etc.

The friend with the bad diarrhea caught it from a co-worker.

I have a coworker and his wife in DC that have recovered and had terrible diarrhea plus a few other symptoms. They are in their late 50's.

Good luck to you.

Thanks for all the replies.

Hasn't gotten too bad yet so taking a wait and see approach while hunkering down in my apartment.

Glad the toilet paper shortage isn't a thing anymore!!

Gumby said:

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You had two friends who ended up in the ICU? How old were they? I only know one person who thinks he got it and even he tested negative. Most of my friends live in NYC, Seattle and Washington DC, all areas that have been hit hard.

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I know at least four who went to the ICU. Two died and the other two are still in the ICU the last I heard, at least one of them on a ventilator.

So just the flu?

Sorry to hear that. What age were they?

I'm still surprised that no one i know has even tested positive since we all live in large cities that have been impacted. No friends, no family, no coworkers. Even my niece who works in a nursing home in Texas has not seen a single case.

Gumby said:

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Sorry to hear that. What age were they?

I'm still surprised that no one i know has even tested positive since we all live in large cities that have been impacted. No friends, no family, no coworkers. Even my niece who works in a nursing home in Texas has not seen a single case.

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On a per capita basis, most large cities should be pretty safe.

The two who passed away were my old Assistant Scoutmaster from when I was a Boy Scout. Also, his son is an Aggie.

Of the two who are still alive but in the ICU, one of them is probably about early to mid 40s, but could be younger.

Duncan Idaho said:

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So just the flu?

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Much worse than flu for my friends, unfortunately.

It seems like the majority of younger people who get it have no symptoms so its possible my friends got it and just had no idea. I have several friends in Brooklyn which was the hardest hit area in the world in terms of deaths and still nothing.

ICU cases are pretty rare for young people. Ive been watching Virginia closely and our overall hospitalization rate is around 1-2% of cases with about 25% of those ending up in ICU. But most of those hospitalizations are people over 50.

Gumby- I also have friends in Brooklyn and they haven't gotten sick either. I'm starting to think it's just some really bad luck for some people that end up getting sick.

One day in late February (I live in San Diego) I became nauseous followed a day later by vomiting and diarrhea with 102 fevers. I thought it was for sure the flu but I tested negative. A day later my fever broke and I began to recover.

I haven't had antibody testing done and don't think I had Covid, but anything is possible.

nawlinsag said:

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Appetite suppression, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or Any combination of these is a fairly common presentation for Covid 19.

I find the patients with predominately gastrointestinal symptoms are taking longer to recover. I wish you the best.

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How common is diarrhea as the only symptom - no fever, normal appetite, etc.?

T dizl televizl said:

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Wanted to check and see if anyone knew someone that had Covid where diarrhea was one of the symptoms.

Been dealing with some pretty intense diarrhea since Saturday night which is abnormal for me. Not as intense as a bad case of food poisoning but has definitely lasted longer.

I've known two people who've had Covid (both in New York), and neither had diarrhea as a symptom. They were more body ache / fever for 3-4 days.

I'm a 34 year old male in pretty good health, so not too worried about it either way, but also thought it'd be nice to get some more info in case anybody on here had some info.

Got tested once before (about 6 weeks ago) because someone at work had it that I briefly came into contact with. I was negative then. Not looking forward to the prospect of another nasal swab.

Don't really have other symptoms. Little bit light headed / fatigue, but thinking that could be from fluid loss as well. Trying to stay loaded up on gatorade and h20.

Thanks!

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Question - are you taking Zinc? I started a Zinc regimen and immediately noticed some dull stomach pain and many immediate and unusual trips to the bathroom (even had to stop a conference all early and make a quick run). Was definitely dehydrated from the diarrhea as well. No fever or other symptoms. I stopped taking the zinc and everything went back to normal.

I googled Zinc + upset stomach and lots of results came up regarding Zinc Toxicity.

Would love to get an MD's opinion on this and if it is common? Should I get back on Zinc, just at a lower dose? ( I was taking 30 mg per day).

I had to take Zinc for something unrelated last year and found that it was hell on my stomach unless I took it after eating. Does it upset your stomach even when taken after eating?

I was mainly taking it in the morning before eating and would skip breakfast (intermittent fasting), so that may have been the issue.

If I forgot I would take before bed. I would notice the stomach pain when I woke up.

I definitely felt a lot lighter those few weeks!

Nope, no Zinc over here unfortunately.

Working on 3 full days of this, so thinking something is definitely up.

Would go get tested, but to be honest I don't think I trust myself to make it to the testing site and wait in line for the test.

At this point a positive test wouldn't change how I am dealing with it. I've been completely isolated and trying to stay as hydrated as possible.

One thing I've been wondering is if taking Imodium is a smart play, or if I should just let everything run its course. Have always heard to let diarrhea naturally stop, but 3 days is pushing my patience!

T dizl televizl said:

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Just to keep everyone updated I finally reached out to my doctor yesterday and they had me go get a covid test. Test was negative which is good news.

Apparently there is some stomach bug going around Dallas (where I live), causing about a week of diarrhea.

Anyway, thanks for the replies hope none of y'all get this. It's been a trip for sure.

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Glad you tested negative. Hopefully, your diarrhea will stop soon. Be sure and stay on top of getting enough fluids/electrolytes.

Heyo!

Where did you end up getting a test and have results back in under 24 hrs? I have a coworker who has been out since Monday afternoon when he found out his daughter tested positive. He is still waiting to here back so the rest of can figure out what to do. I would say the guy was asymptomatic but he has had a chronic hacking cough for the better part of 5 years so if he ever has anything, it finds its way around the office.

AggieFactor said:

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Where did you end up getting a test and have results back in under 24 hrs? I have a coworker who has been out since Monday afternoon when he found out his daughter tested positive. He is still waiting to here back so the rest of can figure out what to do. I would say the guy was asymptomatic but he has had a chronic hacking cough for the better part of 5 years so if he ever has anything, it finds its way around the office.

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No idea where he got tested but a lot of the CVS here in Houston now have the Abbott tests where you get results in 5-15 mins. My employer emailed me yesterday about it and said we could get no cost tests there with our insurance.

Dr. Called me in a test at UT Southwestern. They have a drive in site at mockingbird and Harry Hines (off of forest park). Zero wait. Zero cars seen the whole time I was there which was probably only 5-6 minutes. Got test done at 2 pm yesterday and woke up with results in my email this AM.

Have also had previous test (for work) done at Walgreens down on south Buckner. They had a long line to get the test but results were similar turn around. Shorter than 24 hrs.