How many people with COVID have GI symptoms?

The number of people with COVID-related GI symptoms has varied. One study indicated that 10% to 39.9% of people have had problems related to the GI tract during a COVID infection.

How long am I contagious with COVID vs. stomach flu?

You can be contagious with COVID prior to having symptoms, and if you have COVID for five days or more, it depends on infection severity. You are contagious with the stomach flu from the first day you feel sick until up to two weeks following recovery.

What kills the stomach virus?

There’s no medication to cure a stomach virus. Some antibiotics may treat gastroenteritis if it’s caused by bacteria. You can treat the infection by getting plenty of rest and fluids. Research has shown that probiotics may shorten the duration of diarrhea.

COVID-19 or Stomach Flu? How To Tell the Difference

By

Maggie O'Neill

Updated on October 23, 2024

Medically reviewed by

Mary Josephine Hessert, DO

Woman with hair bun holding her neck by hands, sit in kneeling pose in bathroom — Olga Rolenko / Getty Images

COVID-19 can mimic allergies, colds, and flu and can present with gastrointestinal (GI) issues like an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms are also signs of a stomach bug—commonly known as the stomach flu or, medically, gastroenteritis.

One of the ways to tell the difference between stomach flu and COVID is by assessing if you have more than GI symptoms. The only way to know if you have COVID is to get tested.

COVID-19 vs. Stomach Flu Symptoms

Gastroenteritis is not a type of flu, although it's colloquially known as stomach flu. COVID is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which was discovered in 2019. The conditions are different, but some of their symptoms still overlap.

Here's a side-by-side symptom comparison:

Symptoms	Stomach Flu	COVID
Abdominal pain	Yes	No
Body or muscle aches	No	Yes
Cough	No	Yes
Diarrhea	Yes	Sometimes
Difficulty breathing	No	Yes
Fatigue	No	Yes
Fever or chills	Sometimes	Yes
Headache	No	Yes
Loss of smell or taste	No	Yes
Nausea	Yes	Sometimes
Runny nose or congestion	No	Yes
Sore throat	No	Yes
Vomiting	Yes	Sometimes

Risk Factors

The following factors may make people more susceptible to GI issues:

Alcohol or cannabis use
Increased caffeine intake
Increased high-starch and high-sugar intake
Lack of exercise
Low fiber intake
Post-infection inflammation
Psychological stressors, like anxiety and depression or trauma
Sleep problems

How Long Do GI Symptoms Last With COVID-19?

The GI symptoms related to COVID vary in how long they last. Research has shown that diarrhea starts one to eight days after the initial infection and lasts from two to six days afterward.

Some GI symptoms may also persist as part of long COVID. Long COVID refers to new, returning, or recurring symptoms that last longer than 12 weeks after initial infection. Long COVID GI symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting.

When To Consult a Healthcare Provider

A stomach bug does not require medical attention in most cases. You will want to get tested for COVID if you have any symptoms of the infection and isolate until you have your test results.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have risk factors, such as a weak immune system. Risk factors increase the likelihood of severe illness or life-threatening symptoms, such as:

Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Discolored lips, nails, or skin
Inability to keep food or fluids down
New or worsening confusion
Problems with wakefulness (staying awake or waking up)
Severe signs of dehydration, like rapid heartbeat and breathing

A Quick Review

COVID shares symptoms with the stomach flu, so it can be difficult to tell what illness you have. The stomach flu consists mainly of GI symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting without other symptoms like chills or chest pains.

Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting can persist if a person has them as part of a COVID infection. See a healthcare provider if you have warning signs of severe COVID infection or life-threatening symptoms, like severe dehydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people with COVID have GI symptoms?

The number of people with COVID-related GI symptoms has varied. One study indicated that 10% to 39.9% of people have had problems related to the GI tract during a COVID infection.
How long am I contagious with COVID vs. stomach flu?

You can be contagious with COVID prior to having symptoms, and if you have COVID for five days or more, it depends on infection severity. You are contagious with the stomach flu from the first day you feel sick until up to two weeks following recovery.
What kills the stomach virus?

There’s no medication to cure a stomach virus. Some antibiotics may treat gastroenteritis if it’s caused by bacteria. You can treat the infection by getting plenty of rest and fluids. Research has shown that probiotics may shorten the duration of diarrhea.

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