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Coronavirus

14th Feb 2022

Two eating-related symptoms that show you may actually have had Omicron

Kieran Galpin

There has been a ‘sharp increase’ in people with covid reporting gastrointestinal symptoms

Differentiating between covid and the flu can be difficult – but two eating-related symptoms could illustrate you’ve actually had Omicron.

With restrictions lifting across the world, the abolition of isolation rules and summer holidays appearing to be on this year, the world is hopeful that covid might soon be a thing of the past. However, with numerous nations emphasising that we “must learn to live with” covid, it’s always best to be completely clued in on all the facts.

The ZOE app, which tracks developing symptoms, has discovered two eating-related symptoms that could reveal an infection of Omicron.

Since January 2022, there has been a “sharp increase” in people with covid reporting gastrointestinal symptoms.

Covid

While the NHS official site still lists high fever, a new, continuous cough and loss/change to your sense of taste or smell as main symptoms, ZOE has noted an outlier.

They found a loss of appetite and skipping meals could be a sign of Omicron, as well as diarrhoea, stomach pains and feeling sick, reports the Express.

In 2021, ZOE said: “Skipping meals for a short period of time because you’re feeling unwell isn’t something to be overly worried about in people under 65.

“However, a continued loss of appetite in the elderly could be a sign of something wrong and should be raised with their GP or usual healthcare professional.”

It added that it’s not necessary to “force yourself to eat”, but it’s also “very important to keep drinking liquids” in order to replace the loss of water experienced as your body fights the variant.

NHS advice also states: “Many people experience loss of appetite and reduced food intake when unwell with COVID and during their recovery. It is normal to feel tired after being unwell, and recovery can take time.”

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