You might feel like you have a stomach bug or like you ate some bad food. But this could actually be a sign of COVID-19, specifically the omicron variant.
What’s happening: Health officials in Alabama are warning people that a COVID-19 infection from the omicron variant might lead to more than just respiratory issues, according to WPMI-TV.
- Stomach bugs and gastrointestinal symptoms are not off the table.
What they’re saying: “With Delta, the upper respiratory symptoms were very severe. It was in the lung. Patients would have pneumonia, respiratory failure and would go on a ventilator,” said Dr. Bill Admire, with Infirmary Health, according to WPMI-TV. “But with Omicron, patients with gastrointestinal problems are flaring up and having more symptoms.”
Symptoms: Admire said these symptoms can often show up:
- Nausea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
Flashback: Gastrointestinal symptoms have been mentioned as possible symptoms before. They’ve often been associated with those who are feeling mild COVID-19 symptoms, including children, according to Insider.
The bigger picture: These symptoms are a sign that the omicron variant’s symptoms are unpredictable. Between headaches, stomach issues, coughs and flu-like symptoms, it’s impossible — without a COVID-19 test at least — to determine what might be causing these symptoms.