Is every gastrointestinal complaint Long COVID?
No. Irritable bowel syndrome, post-infectious bowel changes, medication side effects, biliary and pancreatic diseases, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and dietary changes can cause similar symptoms. Therefore, a diagnosis should not be made based solely on a history of COVID.
What is important in the evaluation?
The onset timing of symptoms, weight loss, blood in the stool, pain or diarrhea that wakes the patient at night, fever, medications, and dietary history are evaluated. Depending on the clinical situation, a complete blood count, inflammatory markers, liver tests, celiac screening, or stool examinations may be considered.
How important is the gut microbiota?
Post-COVID microbiota changes are being investigated; however, as of today, no single microbiome test or probiotic combination has been shown to treat Long COVID. Symptoms, diet, and tolerance should be considered when choosing probiotics or prebiotics.
When is rapid evaluation needed?
If there is blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, jaundice, or significant fluid loss, one should not wait under the assumption of Long COVID.
Related guide
Long COVID: general symptoms and evaluation
